CII Communique - February, 2010

defence
sectoral synergies
Army Air Defence in the 21 st Century
The Government of India
is further revising the
Defence Procurement
Procedures in the year
2010, to reduce delays in
the procurement process,
said Mr AK Antony, Union
Minister for Defence, at the
‘International Seminar on
Army Air Defence’ organised
by CII in association with the
Corps of Army Air Defence,
Indian Army, on 13 January
in New Delhi. Mr Antony was
the chief guest at the seminar,
while Gen. Deepak Kapoor,
PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Chief of
the Army Staff, was the Guest
of Honour.
Mr Antony said that the
Government aims to reduce
dependence on imports, which currently stand at
70%. He wanted the public and private sector to
work together to explore the ever-expanding domains
of defence sector, utilising available resources in a
judicious manner.
Mr. Baba Kalyani, Chairman, CII National Committee on
Defence and Aerospace, and Chairman and Managing
Director, Bharat Forge Limited, called for a level playing
field for the Indian private sector vis-à-vis foreign players
with regard to the foreign exchange rate variations, issues
of taxation structure, facilitating capabilities development
for SMEs, etc. He also urged the Government to work
out an arrangement to allow prototype import for the
benefit of the indigenous industry. Self-sufficiency in
a large range of defence equipments will translate in
win-win situation for all, he said, reiterating that CII
believes the Indian defence industry can rise up to
this challenge.
Gen Deepak Kapoor said that technological
breakthroughs like attack helicopters, cruise missiles
etc. have added new dimensions to aerial defence.
Therefore continuous upgradation and revamping of
technology and infrastructure is required keeping in
consideration the nation’s security needs.
Lt. Gen Ram Pratap, AVSM, VSM, Director General,
A K Antony, Union Minister for Defence, inaugurating the ‘International Seminar on Army Air Defence’
Also seen (L-R) Baba N Kalyani, Chairman, CII National Committee for Defence, Gen Deepak Kapoor,
PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of Army Staff, Gurpal Singh, Deputy Director General, CII and
Lt Gen Ram Pratap, AVSM, VSM, Director General, Corps of Army Air Defence
Corps of Army Air Defence, Integrated Headquarters of
MoD (Army) said the years ahead would see upgradation
of existing policies, coming of age of defence R&D,
etc.
Mr. Satish Kaura, Co Chairman, CII National Committee
on Defence & Aerospace, and Chairman, Samtel Group,
said that a nation’s strength is dependent upon its
defence preparedness and its aspirations to become a
big player in the political theatre. CII has been working
to bring industry and the army on a common platform,
he said.
The Corps of Army Air Defence, one of the youngest
arms of the Indian Army, plays a vital role in the
destruction / degradation of enemy air-power, thereby
ensuring defence of vital areas / points in the nation’s
war efforts. Rapid advances in the field of avionics, stealth
capabilities of aerial weapons, coupled with increased
precision, lethality and stand off ranges of ammunition,
have reduced the effectiveness of the existing equipment
held by Army Air Defence in countering such threats.
The aim of the Seminar was to apprise the industry, both
national as well as international, of the requirements
of the Indian Army in the field of Air Defence and
also to obtain inputs on what the industry can offer to
enable the preparation of a pragmatic road map for the
modernization of Army Air Defence.
Communiqué February 2010 | 29