Coimbatore, Aug 29 (KNN) A defence innovation centre to support the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Start-ups in defence space in Coimbatore is on anvil. The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) is all set to develop the centre in order to transform city into a defence manufacturing hub by 2028.

CODISSIA is planning to start the innovation centre with the support of Ministry of Defence.

This defence innovation centre will venture into defence supplies to make this entire region a hub for defence supplies within the next 10 years.

Talking to KNN India, President, CODISSIA, R.Ramamurthy said “We are doing this project with ministry of defence and for this we will be submitting draft detailed project report in next two weeks.”

It was to be submitted earlier but president said the proposal is still under process and in next two weeks it will be submitted.

He said the real objective of setting up defence innovation hub in the region is the indigenization of products.

The aim is to create necessary infrastructure to innovate, develop and test products and services developed by MSMEs, for the defence establishments, he added.

This will encourage innovation in defence space and will also reduce imports from the outside, said Ramamurthy.

With the establishment of defence centre, MSMEs will get a very good business in the region and will also enhance capabilities of MSMEs, he CODISSIA President added.

He said the innovation centre will act as a catalyst in developing Coimbatore region to emerge as a defence manufacturing hub.

To support this innovation initiative in defence space, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced a grant of Rs. 20 Crores (USD 3 million) as Seed Money to CODISSIA to start the Defence Innovation Centre in the region.