Centre to attain 70 per cent self-reliance in defence by 2020

The government of India is targeting to attain 70 per cent self-reliance in defence by 2020, according to Sheela Bhide, financial adviser (acquisition), defence. The central government, is, therefore, working towards gradually bringing down the import content in the defence sector.

Addressing the inaugural session of the SME Expo 2005, organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Small Industries Associations and Hyderabad International Trade Expositions Ltd, Sheela Bhide said that the Kelkar Committee has been set up for this purpose and it will be giving its recommendations on this front.

"Besides, we are finalising a five-year long-term plan regarding procurements in the defence sector which we will be making public to encourage transparency," Bhide added.

"We are also working on a product strategy where we are shortlisting defence products that can be developed with private participation," she added.

"Today we are among the top ten spenders in the world in defence and the third largest importer of military hardware. In many countries, defence is the driver of industrial growth. We hope that India also has the same experience," Bhide said, adding that there have been enquiries from the international arena for helicopters developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Prahlada, director of Defence Research and Development Laboratory, said that SMEs have been doing extremely well in the last few decades. He, however, suggested that they should form consortiums to share skills and resources.

Inaugurating the expo, Andhra Pradesh chief minister, Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said that if SMEs in the state have any difficulty they are ready to offer incubation facilities for their development.