GRSE focused on developing indigenous capabilities in building warships for domestic consumption and exports, informs Rear Admiral V K Saxena, IN (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. He said this while addressing the industry at an interactive session on “Indigenisation Requirements of GRSE: Opportunities for MSMEs” organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). Rear Adm V K Saxena opined that MSME has emerged as a sector for high employment generation, contribution to the GDP in the manufacturing and service sector. Due to the diligent efforts of the government, massive growth and development are happening in the defence sector and it will be interesting to watch out for those new initiatives that are going to help the industries particularly the MSMEs sector.
He deliberated that due to recent policy initiatives undertaken by the Government of India, initiatives, like Make in India, Self-Reliant India, and Vocal for Local, are giving confidence towards the future of the defence sectors. Initiatives like putting a lot of items in the negative lists and others are a good sign for the domestic defence industry that has helped to shorten the procurement process and make new chapters. The increase in the FDI limit and thrust on export has given a major push to this sector. Talking about the shipbuilding and war shipbuilding sector, Rear Adm V K Saxena mentioned that MSMEs are playing a pivotal role with the majority of the work done by the MSMEs right away from supplying the materials, which makes 70% of the shipbuilding procurement, to the services.. Shipbuilding is a mother industry that has a multiplying effect on the growth of the sector giving direct and indirect employment to many people. In GRSE, a very significant part of the procurement is done through MSMEs and more than 65 items are put in the mandatory procurement list from MSMEs. He also added that we should have more and more competitive vendors to develop more reliable and technologically developed products.
GRSE has been very keen to work together with the MSMEs for the development of niche technology and products provided the MSMEs assure timely supply. GRSE needs a strong vendor ecosystem within the country to bid for international projects. It is quite keen to build a strong war shipbuilding ecosystem within the country with the help of the serious indigenous manufacturers. Cdr Ravi Sharma. IN (Retd), DGM, GRSE in his technical presentation on Indigenisation gave an overview about the indigenisation of ship systems and a glimpse of the GRSE indigenisation effort. He also discussed the major and minor indigenisation requirements and the approach path for the future which included identification of strength for indigenisation and requirements; quantum of indigenisation with an overall objective of cost-saving through import substitution; exploration of partnership for self-development and standardise and demonstrate proof of performance by trials, among others.
Harihar Das, DGM, GRSE in his technical presentation on vendor development discussed the vendor management initiatives undertaken by GRSE with a preference given to MSMEs, UDYAM, GeM, e-TReDs and gave a detailed deliberation on the GRSE registration procedure. Pradeep Multani, Senior Vice President, PHDCCI deliberated about the importance of making the defence sector self-reliant with the help of indigenisation which has the capability of developing and producing any defence equipment within the country for the dual purpose of achieving self-reliance and reducing the burden of imports. Multani mentioned that self-reliance in defence manufacturing is one of the objectives of the Department of Defence Production. As far as indigenisation is concerned, we have to take the first important step wherein we have the in-house capability to manufacture the materials, components, and assemblies. As part of Make In India initiatives of the Ministry of Defence through Indigenisation Efforts, GRSE has made commendable progress by successfully incorporating a high percentage of indigenous content into their ships.
The session was moderated by Vivek Seigell, Assistant Secretary-General, PHDCCI with numerous technical questions coming from the participating MSMEs. A Vote of Thanks was also presented by Seigell.
The Webinar was attended by many industry stalwarts. The Webinar was supported by GRSE and Star Wire India Ltd. PHDCCI’s Session has also been supported by the Annual Sponsors DLF India; Multani Pharmaceuticals; UFLEX; JK Tyre & Industries; Marble City; Paramount Cables; SMC Investments and Advisors; Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic; Comtech Interior; DCM Shriram Industries; Radico Khaitan; Ajit Industries; Synergy Environics; Timberworkz; P S Bedi & Co Pvt Ltd; and IFFCO.