Antony for public-private partnership in defence

Indigenous development of armament is an opportunity for private sector for which quality, safety, reliability and measurability are the criteria to qualify, said Defence Minister A K Antony during the inaugural ceremony of NAVARMS 07, Indigenous Armament - Challenges and Opportunities here on Thursday.

New Delhi, July 19 : Indigenous development of armament is an opportunity for private sector for which quality, safety, reliability and measurability are the criteria to qualify, said Defence Minister A K Antony during the inaugural ceremony of NAVARMS 07, "Indigenous Armament - Challenges and Opportunities" here on Thursday.

He said that companies should come together to compete with global market in defence sector.

"Self reliance is our motto and government is willing to pursue this aggressively. Private companies should improve project management skill and designing skill to take the advantage," Antony said.

India is presently going through major transformation and Indian defence should acquire technical strength to have global edge, Antony said, adding that the government is initiating high level development in the defence procurement procedures to facilitate private companies.

Private companies can partner public enterprises to fulfill the requirement of the defence force, he added. he minister said that private companies need to spend more on research and development and contribute towards the building of nation by providing high quality technical equipments to the defence.

The industry involvement should be at the planning and designing stage and self reliance and development of armaments in India should not be limited to domestic market but also focus on making the nation a global hub, said Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of Naval Staff.

India's maritime security interest lies in the import of oil through the marine route and vast undersea resources, he added.

India cannot depend on import of armaments as 10 billion dollars has been spent on import of defence equipments in the last year, said Admiral Mehta.

He said that advanced skilled manpower and world class institutes in India can initiate development of armament technology indigenously.

The construction of first indigenous aircraft career is in the process, said the Admiral. He also said that strategic location of India brings responsibility to maintain peace and prosperity through security of economic transaction and maritime trade.

Life cycle support for the development of the concept, manufacturing and maintenance of armaments has to be done by the private Indian companies, said Vice Admiral Nirmal Verma, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Integrated Headquarters of MoD (Navy).

He said that the total defence budget outlay of Rs. 96,000 crore for 2006 - 07 has lot of provision for private companies to participate. Indian Defence is actively encouraging self sufficiency in developing capability of missile technology, said Vice Admiral Verma.

Strategic partnership with private partners will forge alliance to develop new technology for the Indian defence and the combined aim of the Public - Private Partnership (PPP) should be to bring competitive high quality products, said the Vice Admiral. He said that Indian industry has to facilitate collaboration and take initiatives in the privatisation. The procurement of defence armament is the process that involves lot of capital and Indian Defence has witnessed various influx of high technology, he added.

The initiative to involve private companies in procurement of armaments is a first of its kind, said Sunil Bharti Mittal, President, CII. He said that Indian industry both public and private will build linkages, imbibe high levels of technology and be partners in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing state of the art armaments.

Mittal said that CII has a strong vision of PPP and would assist Indian companies to explore prospect with Indian defence as well as global market.

Defence procurement market of India is 20 billion dollars and Indian companies should rise to qualify for the requirements of the Indian defence, said Mittal.

Defence expenditure can be seen as an exponent of growth, said Lt. Gen. (retired) S S Mehta, Director General, CII. He said that Indian industry should prove its capability and commitment to the growth by creating partnership for life cycle support.

The two day international seminar and exhibition will focus on understanding the technology and trend requirements of armament for the Indian Navy.

ANI