New Delhi: The Department of Military Affairs, under the Ministry of Defence, is set to spearhead a two-day intensive brainstorming session on March 4-5, 2024, aimed at advancing the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The session will bring together key stakeholders, including Service Headquarters, representatives from the Department of Defence Production, Defence Industry, and other relevant partners.
Chaired by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the event will feature a keynote address by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. The deliberations will encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from identifying challenges to formulating actionable strategies that will propel indigenisation efforts within the Armed forces. The discussions will also address issues related to sustainability, stimulate private sector involvement in defence Research and Development (R&D) and manufacturing, and focus on the creation and enhancement of Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul facilities for the Armed Forces.
The coordination of the event is led by HQ Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). The participation of key representatives from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Services, and Industry is expected to foster collaboration and strengthen the indigenisation endeavors. The outcome of the brainstorming session will be a time-bound action plan to accelerate indigenisation efforts in the defence sector.