- Presentation of SIDM Champion Awards
New Delhi. 28 September 2021. The Annual Session of SIDM was organized on 28th September 2021 at Hotel ITC Maurya, New Delhi. The theme of the session “March for Aatmanirbharta and Make for the World” had been conceptualised with an aim to facilitate sharing of perspectives on the roadmap for the Defence Industry to achieve “Aatmanirbharta” through Indigenous products and equipment. It was held as a hybrid conference due to the prevailing Covid pandemic and keeping safety protocols in consideration.
Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, Chief Guest of the Annual Session, emphasised that the Indian defence industry is home to manufacturers who can create a perfect blend of state-of-the-art, high quality and cost-effective hardware which will not only bolster national security but make India a net defence exporter. He reiterated the Government’s resolve of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the world’ through past learnings, present works, with a focus on empowering the future. He also added that the Govt has opened up opportunities to build a Mega Defence Programme, including fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks and submarines through a strategic partnership model that will help our private companies become global giants in the years to come. The recent contract of 56 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force is one such example.
The Minister added that the growing popularity of SIDM also reflects the growth of the country’s defence industry. On the setting up of the first SIDM state office in Lucknow & the signing of the agreement with the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority to promote investments in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor, he stated that these initiatives indicate the quality of vision & approach of SIDM which is essential to achieve the goal of self-reliance.
Jayant D Patil, President, SIDM in his address said “The Ministry of Defence and Industry have moved together. An enormous amount of progress has been made in the last few years”. He added that there have been unprecedented reforms being put in place for the Defence Industry.
Baba Kalyani, Founder & Immediate Past President, SIDM said “ As an Industry representative, let me say that we are extremely encouraged and motivated and I can promise you (Raksha Mantri) that these programmes and the ones to be launched in the future will propel investments, employment and Aatmanirbharata are in the defence sector”.
SP Shukla, Vice President, SIDM concluded the Inaugural Session and thanked all the Hon’ble RM for his unstinted support to the Industry. “When it comes to innovation, there is no large company, there is no small company. Innovation comes from the minds of people. We would like to promote, nurture, and cherish all our engineers across the spectrum within the industry, he said.
To acknowledge the distinguished performance of industries in Defence and Aerospae, SIDM has instituted the “SIDM Champion” Awards in specific categories. The spin-off of such recognition and acknowledgement would encourage the member Industries to rededicate themselves and scale up their engagement to the National Cause to the next level. Hon’ble RM felicitated the Awardees.
Companies were awarded for the following Categories and Sub-categories.
CATEGORY 1 -Technology Product Innovation to Address Defence Capability gaps
| Subcategory | Company | Product |
| Large | Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding Ltd | Floating Dock Navy 2 |
| Medium | Smpp Pvt Ltd | BulletProof Helmets |
| SME/Small | Lekha Wireless Solutions Pvt Ltd | 4G LTE Technology |
CATEGORY 2 -Import Substitution for Mission Critical Parts / sub-systems / systems
| Large | Centum Electronics Ltd | EW Payload for Def Satellite |
| Medium | MTAR Technologies Ltd | Actuator Ball Screws Missiles |
| SME/Small | High Energy Batteries (India) Ltd | Silver Zinc Technology Batteries |
CATEGORY 3 -Creation of Niche Technological Capability for Design, Manufacturing and Testing
| Sub Category | Company | Product |
| Large | Godrej And Boyce Mfg Co Ltd | Manufacturing Facilities for Titanium Steam Generator for NSSS (Strategic Project) |
| SME/Small | Anant Defence Systems Pvt Ltd | Injector Assembly for Engine of T90 |
CATEGORY 4 – Export performance in Aerospace and Defence Sector
| Sub Category | Company | Product |
| Large | Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd | Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC 6X) |
| Large | Goa Shipyard Ltd | Export of warships |
| Medium | Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems Pvt Ltd | SPICE 2000OPERATIONAL SP- 2 ELECTRONIC KIT |
| SME/Small | Micron Instruments Pvt Ltd | Multiple products such as 70mm Rocket and Time and PD Fuze for105 MM and 155 MM |
The Session also involved deliberations on Policy and R&D initiatives by the Ministry of Defence where Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary R&D and Chairman, DRDO; Mr Raj Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) and Mr V L Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary & Director General (Acquisition) shared their perspectives. Discussions on Revenue Procurements by the Armed Forces involved views from Air Marshal Vibhas Pande AVSM, VSM, Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance, IAF; Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics, Indian Navy and Maj Gen NKV Patil, ADG, Procurement, Indian Army.
