SEMINAR ON SELF-RELIANCE IN LAND SYSTEMS THROUGH INDIGENISATION

A joint seminar on ‘Self-Reliance in Land Systems through Indigenisation – The Future Perspective’ was organised on April 30, 2014 by CLAWS (Centre for Land Warfare Studies) and Directorate General of EME (Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The chief guest for the event was the Dr Rajgopal Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. The chief guest mooted the idea that the seminar must provide a platform to the defence industry to project their capabilities and gain insight into the policies and procedures on indigenisation as well as provide an opportunity to both the army and the industry to build an enduring partnership which will be instrumental in addressing the issues related to indigenisation of military equipment. He set the tone of the seminar by extorting the Indian industry to give their full support in turning the notion of total indigenisation equipment into a reality.

On the sidelines of the seminar an exhibition was also organised to display the diverse range of items under indigenisation through SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) at present. The seminar witnessed contribution of ideas of a large cross-section of the private industry, PSUs, military and academic experts. The crucial take-aways from the seminar were the compelling thoughts and ideas which came up during the technical sessions and gave a positive direction to the industry houses in planning their future investments and the policy makers in framing policy guidelines to keep all the stake holders on the same page and focused towards the common goal.