Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Defense equipment manufacturers like Tata, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and other players have offered the state golden opportunities to manufacture items for them. On the other hand, MSME units and start-ups of the state also showcased their dynamic products, innovative solutions and capabilities to meet the needs of the defense sector.

The one-day Regional Defense MSME Conclave, held at the Grand Convention Center (BCC) on Thursday, provided a platform to all stakeholders in the defense sector, including MSMEs, start-ups, defense equipment manufacturers and defense producers. Promoters of The conclave was jointly organized by Department of Defense Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation Limited (MPIDC), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM). .

The conclave served as an important platform to empower MSMEs to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the defense sector. Throughout the day, attendees benefited from insightful sessions that highlighted procurement processes, quality assurance, funding opportunities and opportunities in the defense business. The event also featured a dynamic product display, showcasing innovative solutions and capabilities offered by MSMEs and startups to meet the needs of the defense sector.

The conclave began with an engaging session addressed by Modita Mishra, DDG (I&F), Ministry of Defence, who shared various schemes for prioritizing procurement by MSMEs. On localization, he presented an overview of the Srijan portal with over 24,000 products available for localization. RN Aprajit, Joint Controller, Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) gave a comprehensive overview of the importance of rigorous quality measures in defense manufacturing, emphasizing the need for consistency and accuracy from the design stage to production. gave

Major OEMs including DPSUs like AWEIL, AVNL BEL, HAL, L&T and Tata’s have submitted their requirements for supply chain expansion arrangements and mechanisms for engaging with MSMEs. A major focus of the conclave was the B2B networking session, where MSMEs directly engaged with defense buyers and procurement officials. These interactions provided MSMEs with insights into the procurement processes of major defense players, helping them align their capabilities to meet the needs of the sector.

The event also addressed the funding challenges faced by MSMEs, with experts from financial institutions outlining the various schemes and mechanisms available to support MSME growth in defense manufacturing. The conclave reaffirmed the collective commitment of stakeholders to foster innovation, build capacity and build a thriving defense manufacturing ecosystem in India. This is a testament to the power of collaboration in enabling MSMEs to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the country’s defense preparations.