GCCI organized an Interactive Seminar on Bridging the Gap in Defence

Interactive Seminar on Bridging the Gap in Defence: Exploring Opportunities, Challenges and Government Support

Ahmedabad , Shri Sandeep Engineer, President, GCCI warmly welcomed the participants at the outset of the meeting. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the critical importance of Transfer of Technology (ToT) in fostering self-sufficiency and reducing import dependency. He articulated that ToT is not merely a strategic necessity but a vital pathway for empowering local industries and enhancing national security. He also pointed out the opportunity to explore significant innovations and technologies developed by DIITM, specifically designed to benefit MSMEs.

Shri Anshul Nanavaty, Chairman, Defence Taskforce emphasized the critical importance of the defence and aerospace sectors in India for national security, economic growth, and technological advancement. He noted that as one of the largest military forces in the world, India is actively pursuing significant modernization and indigenization efforts to bolster its defence capabilities. The government has prioritized these sectors through initiatives such as Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat with the aim of reducing dependence on foreign imports and fostering domestic manufacturing.

Shri Arun Chaudhary, Scientist ‘G’ and Director, Directorate of Industry Interface & Technology Management (DIITM) at DRDO, recently emphasized key initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration between DRDO and the Indian defence industry. He outlined various policies aimed at supporting Indian industries, particularly MSMEs, in alignment with the government’s vision of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Notable initiatives include free technology transfer for Development cum Production Partners, a ₹100 crore Technology Development Fund that covers up to 90% of project costs for MSMEs and subsidized SAMAR certification for manufacturing assessment. Furthermore, all DRDO patents are now freely accessible to Indian industries and testing facilities have been expanded to assist in high-quality product development. These efforts complement initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and are intended to empower Indian industries to achieve self-reliance and position India as a net defence exporter.

The interactive Question and Answer session deepened participants’ understanding of the complexities of Transfer of Technology and the support available from the government. The seminar concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Shri Tejas Mehta, Chairman MSME Committee, GCCI.