New Delhi, Oct 31 (KNN) In a recent meeting with the officials of the Department headed by the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the ministry informed that it is in the process of exploring ways create a tiered defence industrial ecosystem with full integration and skilling of manpower in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), a press release from the Ministry informed.

Sitharaman informed that the government is fully committed to ease private participation in defence manufacturing with the objective of bringing high value foreign investment into the sector.

Responding to this, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the sector informed that such measures are much needed.

Talking to KNN, Piyush Pandey, Public Relation Manager of Defense and Strategic Industries Association of India (DISA) said that from 2013 India has witnessed only one lakh crore of FDI under Make in India initiative in defense manufacturing.

Explaining the problem of technology, he said that the foreign companies are not ready to share or transfer the defense technology to India. The agreement between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to make the F-16 fighters aircrafts in India involves no tech transfer.

“The Indian Government’s dream of Make in India in defense sector is facing numerous hurdles, a lot needs to be done” he added.

He also said that it was only in the case of Punj Lloyd when announced its collaboration with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) to manufacture small weapons in India under a complete technology transfer arrangement was facilitated.

Pandey said that MSME sector companies can enter into the arena of bullets and bullet proof jackets provided that the government supports the MSMEs with policies and easy taxation.

He said India at present does not possess any indigenous technology of global competence and the weapons like small and medium arms are mostly imported.

Voicing concern in line with the Defence Minister, he said that the government should promote private players in the defense sector in order to facilitate fresh impetus to the sector. (KNN/AG)