Defence Production Secretary to Engage Stakeholders in Nagpur for Policy Insights Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar will convene a meeting with stakeholders from both private and public defence enterprises in Nagpur during his visit to the city on Friday. The gathering aims to gather perspectives from various levels of industry participants to inform future policy decisions. Kumar will be accompanied by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who will inaugurate a new facility at Yantra India Limited (YIL), a public sector unit (PSU) established from the ordnance factories. The meeting will include representatives from YIL, which produces hardware for ammunition; Dassault Reliance Aviation Limited (DRAL), which manufactures components for Rafael aircraft; Munitions India Limited, another PSU; and mid-sized and small ancillary units. The Vidarbha Defence Industries Association (VDIA) will also participate. The discussions are expected to address several key issues, including the accessibility of data from agencies like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which has been a point of contention among industrialists. Some stakeholders have raised concerns about the practice of "white labelling," where defence products are marketed as indigenously made despite being imported. The meeting will also focus on streamlining the export licensing process, as delays in granting licenses have been cited as a barrier to growth despite the government’s emphasis on boosting defence exports. The state’s industries department is coordinating the event, with plans to use the insights gathered to draft a new policy framework. The existing state defence and aerospace policy, formulated in 2018, will be revisited.#rajnath_singh #yantra_india_limited #vidarbha_defence_industries_association #dassault_reliance_aircraft #defence_production_secretary
Drone Manufacturing and Testing Hub to Be Established in Kuhi Under State Aerospace Policy A specialized drone manufacturing and testing facility is set to be established in Kuhi, Nagpur district, under the state government’s upcoming aerospace and defense policy, according to Dushant Deshpande, director of the Vidarbha Defence Industries Association (VDIA). Deshpande, who also serves as a member of the policy formulation committee, announced the initiative during a panel discussion at the Viksit Bharat Conclave. The Kuhi project will be one of five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) proposed across the state, alongside a nuclear-aeronics facility planned in Saoner. Deshpande emphasized that the evolving nature of warfare is shifting toward network-centric systems, driven by interconnected technologies, data, and precision capabilities. He highlighted Israel’s advanced airspace defense strategies, citing its conflicts with Hamas and Iran as examples of the critical role of indigenous technology in modern defense. “The nature of warfare is changing rapidly, with a growing reliance on interconnected systems, data, and precision technologies,” he stated. VDIA has already incubated 10 to 12 startups, and Deshpande described Nagpur as an ideal hub for aerospace and defense ventures. He noted the city’s existing infrastructure for explosives manufacturing and its potential to scale defense-related industries. “Nagpur is one of India’s largest hubs for explosives manufacturing and offers excellent exposure for industries looking to scale in the defense sector,” he said. The director also underscored the importance of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in enhancing operational efficiency while reducing human involvement in high-risk battlefield environments.#nagpur #dushant_deshpande #vidarbha_defence_industries_association #kuhi #viksit_bharat_conclave
