Lucknow: Over 200 partnerships involving signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), Transfers of Technology (ToTs), product launches were concluded at DefExpo 2020 making it the most successful event to be held in India.
The pacts, aimed at forging and renewing partnerships for innovative collaboration, and transformation of the defence manufacturing in the country and were inked by representatives of various DPSUs, Indian private defence companies and foreign companies in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow, according to a Ministry release.
The Defence Minister said the signing of MoUs was a step in the right direction to achieve Prime Minister’s $5 billion defence exports target in next five years. The Defence PSUs and the Indian defence private industry were better placed today to lead India as the emerging R&D hub of the world leveraging the sharp minds of Indian youth.
The liberalised licensing regime brought out by the government would surely attract large investments by both Indian and global companies, he stressed.
The Minister thanked all the stakeholders who signed MoUs and expressed hope that Uttar Pradesh would emerge as a defence manufacturing hub.
Among the MoUs signed, 23 were by Uttar Pradesh government. The Chief Minister said these MoUs envisage Rs 50,000 crores investment in the defence corridor setup in the state and generate three lakh job opportunities. He assured that investments coming to the state were secure and the state investment policy was the most attractive in the country. He also announced that HAL would soon supply Dornier 19-seater civilian aircraft to UP.
Dr Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary said that this DefExpo would be remembered for many firsts – including for the signing of largest number of MoUs, ToTs and product launches. Bandhan ceremony witnessed more than 13 product launches, 124 MoUs between DPSUs, private and global defence manufacturing companies. 23 MoUs were signed between the UP Government and private companies.
Dr G Sateesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of R&D and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation, said it was DRDO’s duty to ensure that the defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh flourishes, hence DRDO signed a technological partnership agreement with the state government, imparting skill training, hand holding and providing guidance in all aspects related to technology.
He said a Research and Development centre would be set up in the state that would act as a catalyst with respect to defence development. Technology transfer was made available at no cost to companies in order to further the defence ecosystem in the country. Further, the patents held by DRDO were given free to Indian companies to further develop technologies that would benefit Indian companies.
OFB launched “Sharang” the 155mm artillery gun with 36 km range and handed over a model to Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane. OFB also launched JVPC Alpha gun with 100 mt range, Light Machine Gun of 800 mt range and UBGL – Under barrel Grenade launcher.
BDL launched Amogha-3 the anti-Tank guided missile. It is a man portable fire and forget missile.
BDL also launched Varunastra – the anti-submarine torpedo, manufactured under the technological guidance of DRDO.
