The Chairman DRDO & Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Dr. S. Christopher and other dignitaries are also seen.
New Delhi. 09 January 2018. “Indian Army will walk the extra mile to handhold Indian industry and absorb the technologies since we want to fight Indian wars with Indian solutions.” – General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief. He was speaking at the Army Technology Seminar ARTECH 2018 held by Army Design Bureau (ADB) in association with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). the theme was technology as a key enabler to overcome challenges of military operation in high altitude. There was also a display area showcasing research and solutions. The seminar and the exhibition was inaugurated by General Bipin Rawat, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff and Dr S Christopher, Chairman, DRDO and Secretary, DoD, R&D.
General Rawat said Indian industry has developed niche technology in the civilian sector and thus, there is no reason to believe that the same cannot be done in the defence sector as well.
The army is coming out with problem statements was to ensure that a solider on the frontline is empowered with niche technologies. He added that earlier volumes of Problem Statements have helped them get as many as 45 solutions from both the industry as well as academia. General Rawat further said the theme for the seminar was chosen given the fact that future wars of India will be fought in difficult terrains under difficult circumstances. Thus, every solution that the industry is able to provide, empowers the soldier. Chief of the Army Staff said the army will walk the extra mile to handhold the industry and also, absorb the technologies developed by the industry since their endeavour will be to fight Indian wars with Indian solutions.
Dr S Christopher, Chairman, DRDO and Secretary, R&D, said India can attain self-reliance in Defence only when all stakeholders, namely DRDO, the user, industry and the academia work together. He said Indian Defence sector has opportunity for all, from MSMEs to large players. Dr Christopher urged the services not to stop parallel activity of research while meeting immediate requirements through imports, so that the indigenous technology is absorbed as soon as it is developed. With the advancements in technologies, especially in the artificial intelligence domain, it will be all the more critical to have control over technology and equipments.
Lt Gen S K Patyal, UYSM, SM, PhD, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (P&S) stated that the ADB will conduct informal interactions between the industry, the army and the academia to ensure greater collaboration.
Lt Gen Subrata Saha, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, VSM** (Retd), Director General, SIDM and Principal Adviser, CII introduced the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) which aims to become a single voice for the Indian Defence manufactures. General Saha said SIDM has been pushing for simplification of MAKE II, especially since it is industry funded, and the MoD has agreed to the same. SIDM will also initiate monthly interaction between DG (Acquisition) and the industry. General Saha said SIDM in working towards promoting defence regional industrial clusters.
Jayant D Patil, Vice President, SIDM and Whole-time Director (Defence Business) & Member of the Board, Larsen & Toubro, gave the industry perspective while Lt Gen PS Rajeshwar, VSM, Director General (PP) delivered the vote of thanks.
General Rawat also unveiled a Compendium on Problem Definition Statements – Volume III (2018).
