Kolkata / London: The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, showcased the technological prowess and advanced capabilities of five of its several Public Sector Undertakings at the India Pavilion of Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Exhibition in London, which was held from September 12 to September 15. The Defence Public Sector Undertakings participating at the event were Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, Munitions India Ltd (MIL), Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Ltd (AW&EIL), Yantra India Ltd (YIL) and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Vikram Doraiswami, India’s High Commissioner to the UK on September 12. The DSEI Exhibition is an important global event that connects armed forces across the world with equipment manufacturers. It is a great opportunity for companies to attract customers beyond its country’s shores, while building partnerships with others.
Acknowledging close ties between UK and India, James Cartlidge, the UK’s Minister of State for Defence Procurement and D Johnson, the UK’s Minister of State for Investment, visited the India Pavilion at DSEI London. Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN(Retd.), Director(Shipbuilding), GRSE, along with other senior officials interacted with the visiting dignitaries and Senior Management of global OEMs.
It was during the exhibition that two memorandum of understanding (MoUs) were signed by GRSE. One of these was with Lloyd’s Register for development of a hydrogen fuel cell ferry. GRSE is already working on a zero-emission passenger ferry that will be a prototype of more such green vessels to ply the River Hooghly. Lloyd’s Register is a 260-year-old company that works towards finding sustainable solutions to maritime transportation. The second MoU is for a potential collaboration in the production, sale and service of marine engines for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
GRSE is one of India’s premier defence shipyards based in Kolkata that has set a record in the country by building and delivering 108 warships. Two of these warships were exported while the remaining were delivered to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. Presently, GRSE is in the process of building 19 warships for the Indian Navy, including three Advanced Guided Missile Frigates. GRSE is also a pioneer in the development of modular steel bridges and has verticals which builds deck machinery and marine diesel engines.
The ‘India Pavilion’ at DSEI also had several private players colocated and the participants highlighted India’s efforts towards Aatmanirbharta or self-reliance in the field of defence production. All the companies involved are keen on exports to friendly foreign nations as India marches towards its goal of ‘Make for the World’.
