With an aim to reduce defence imports, Yantra India Limited (YIL), has planned to increase the MSME defence procurement to 75 per cent from 50 per cent. Currently, YIL is working with 3,000 MSMEs that supplies defence material, equipment and spares, said Vijaykumar Iyer, Director (Operations), Yantra India Limited. He was speaking on the theme ‘From Import Dependence to Indigenous Dominance: MSMEs powering resilient vendor ecosystems for a self-reliant India,’ at Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav being held at the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University campus under the aegis of the Association for Industrial Development (AID) on Friday. Lieutenant General Sanjay Verma, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Indian Army stated that the defence sector is critically important for India’s security, leaving no room for compromise.

 

With strong policies, advanced technology, and the strength of a dynamic youth force, India is achieving self-reliance in defence, which will help realise the vision of a developed India. General Manoj Pande, PVSM AVSM VSM ADC (Retd), former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army highlighted the changing nature of modern warfare and emphasised the need for self-reliance in indigenous technology, artificial intelligence, drones, and high-tech warfare. He called for greater collaboration among public and private industries, services, and academic institutions. During the discussion, speakers expressed the view that Nagpur is emerging as an ideal hub for the defence and aerospace industries due to its strategic location and surrounding ecosystem, creating significant opportunities for the youth.

 

The subsequent panel discussion featured participation from Major General Anil Bam, SM, VSM (Retd), Managing Director of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute and Research Centre, Nagpur, Surendra Dhapodkar, Senior Deputy Director of Gliders India Limited, Retired Group Captain Rohit Koura, Brigadier General Vasudev Arya, Chief General Manager of Vehicle Factory Jabalpur Sanjeev Kumar Bhola, Scientist Pradeep Kumar, Dr Ajit Bhandarkar, Dr Laxman Singh, Chief Manager (Planning) HAL, NADP General Manager Dr J P Dash, Ashish Prithviraj, and Bhavana Deshpande. On the occasion, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) related to the defence sector were signed during the afternoon session.

 

The first MoU was signed between the VEDIC Centre of Vidarbha Defence Industries Association Pvt Ltd (VIDA) and the Vidarbha Prant of Vigyan Bharati (VIBHA). This agreement focuses on strengthening training infrastructure, and developing an industry-integrated facilitation centre. The MoU was signed by VIDA Director Dushyant Deshpande and VIBHA President Dr Atul Vaidya. The second MoU was signed between VEDIC and Falcon Skyworks Pvt Ltd which aims at joint efforts in skill development in defence, aerospace, and unmanned systems innovation.