Kerala Stands to Gain from Expansion of Aerospace, Defence Sectors: Experts at IKGS

KOCHI:
With a strong ecosystem in place, Kerala is well positioned to tap investment potential thrown up by the exponential growth of space, aviation and defence production, experts said at Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS) here today.

Speaking at a session on ‘Strategic Advantage for Aerospace and Defence Innovation and Collaboration’ on the concluding day of the summit, the panellists pitched for bringing about greater synergy among the public sector, industry and startups to impart a major thrust to India’s ambitious indigenisation programme in these three vital verticals.

Setting the context for the discussion as moderator, G Levin, CEO, KSPACE, said Indian space economy is set to grow exponentially in the coming years. In this exciting journey, Kerala, especially the state capital, with its highly conducive ecosystem marked by the presence of establishments like ISRO, IIST, Brahmos Aerospace, stands to gain substantially, he said.

In his key-note address to the session, Rear Admiral Sarath Aashirvad, Asst. Chief of Material (IT&S), Indian Navy, said the country is into a massive ship building project with a strong indigenous component, which offers plenty of opportunity for collaboration with local industry. This also calls for industry to augment capabilities to adapt itself to the needs of the Navy by delivering the best products and systems, he said.

Dr Pavuluri Subba Rao, Founder and Managing Director, Ananth Technologies Ltd, said the high-tech industry can contribute substantially to the aerospace sector which is poised to scale greater heights.

Rajnish Sharma, Director, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), said startups and MSMEs could be vital links in the supply chain of defence and aerospace sector.

Commodore A Madhavarao (Retd), Chairman and MD, Bharat Dynamics Ltd, said indigenisation of defence production will not only strengthen the country’s security but also boost local economy.

Jasbir Singh Solanki, CEO, Homeland and Cyber Security, Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd, said direction, ecosystem and mindset are the three critical parameters to develop the best products and systems needed by aerospace and defence sectors.

Dr Duvvuri Seshagiri, Director, Naval Physical and Oceanographical Lab (NPOL), said Kerala, with a robust innovation and R & D base, is well qualified to benefit from indigenisation of aerospace and defence sectors.

Bernd Szukay, MD, Elac Sonar, Germany, said as a global supplier of sonar and under water communication systems his company is keen to collaborate with local industry.

The two-day Invest Kerala Global Summit (IKGS 205), opened by Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday, was attended by over 3500 delegates, including captains of industry from India and abroad.