BHEL Small Industries Association (BHELSIA) is exploring scope for tweaking its capabilities to suit requirements of the Defence sector.
BHELSIA representatives who had taken part in the Defence-Industry development meet organised by the Department of Defence Production at Chennai recently have surmised that their infrastructural capabilities created specifically for fulfilling BHEL's outsourcing orders will have to be adapted to suit the needs of the Defence sector.
The association would consider creation of common facility centres for the purpose, Ashok Sundaresan, BHELSIA president, said. Most of the member units see hope for sustenance only through diversification, he said.
The association is looking forward to tapping the financial allotment made for 'Make in India' initiative of the Central Government with focus on indigenisation, import substitution and technology infusion, for creating the common facilities.
The association will take concrete steps to build capacities for manufacturing components for aerospace, land systems and naval equipment after the forthcoming meeting of a similar nature to be organised at Coimbatore, Mr. Sundaresan said.
The MSMEs are also looking forward to analysing their capabilities by taking part in the DefExpo 2018 to be hosted by Tamil Nadu for the first time during April.
Latest technologies, products
The exhibition where latest technologies and products manufactured by Indian and foreign companies will be showcased is expected to draw participation from several countries. The preceding exhibitions, held once in two years, were conducted in Goa and Delhi.
The DefExpo 2018 will leverage the strengths of the MSME sector in Tamil Nadu to the requirements of the tank manufacturing unit in Avadi, ordnance factories in Avadi and Tiruchi; the Shipyard at Ennore that manufactures ships for Indian Navy and Coast Guard; and the defence public sector undertakings in Bengaluru.
The MSME units are anticipating a favourable defence policy by the State for tapping the segment.
