Kolkata to host major defence tech exhibition on November 5 and 6
Times of India | 2 November 2024
Representative Image KOLKATA: A plethora of modern defence weapons, tech solutions, vehicles, and tactical gear will be on display at the two-day-long defence tech exhibition next week. Hundreds of Indian manufacturers, including a large number of MSMEs and start-ups, will showcase their contemporary and niche technologies alongside foreign manufacturers at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan on November 5 and 6.
The symposium will be inaugurated by GOC-in-C Eastern Command, Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, alongside other senior defence personnel. State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Industries Minister Sashi Panja will also attend the event.
“East Tech 2024 aims to showcase cutting-edge technologies and foster collaboration between the Indian Army and the nation's defence manufacturing sector, including MSMEs, DRDO, DPSUs, R&D organisations, and academia. This event aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat, Raksha Aatmanirbharta, and Make in India initiatives, promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing,” a senior official at Eastern Command said.
The inaugural event in 2022 at this location drew more than 500 participants, facilitating over 1,000 Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings. The primary emphasis of the 2022 gathering was on utilising initiatives like the Army Commander's Special Financial Powers (ACSFP) and the OCPP to streamline and accelerate procurement procedures.
The 2023 edition was held in Guwahati, emphasising specific operational requirements for the Eastern and North-Eastern regions. The event showcased indigenously developed equipment and technologies tailored for combat in high altitudes, river-based missions, and specialised operations against insurgency and terrorism.
The 2024 leg of the exhibition is conducted in partnership with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and is designed to enhance the technological knowledge base of attendees, acquainting them with state-of-the-art technologies and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions.
Over Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be exhibitions and live demonstrations, allowing participants to showcase their products and solutions to senior officers from the Eastern Command and other govt stakeholders. There will also be technical sessions focusing on defence procurement protocols, initiatives supporting MSMEs, and the incorporation of advanced technologies.
The ministry of Defence, in a press release last week, said India’s defence production skyrocketed in Q2 FY 2024-25 compared to the same period in the previous year.
“India’s commitment to Atmanirbharta in defence is evidenced by its transformation from a major arms importer to an emerging centre for indigenous production. Driven by strategic govt policies, this shift reached a landmark in FY 2023-24, with the Ministry of Defence reporting an unprecedented Rs 1.27 lakh crore in domestic defence production. Once reliant on foreign suppliers, India now places a high priority on self-reliant manufacturing to meet its security needs, reinforcing its vision to strengthen national resilience and reduce dependency on external sources,” the release stated.