Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, emphasized the significant opportunities for the private sector in defence indigenisation during his address at the Confederation of Indian Industry’s southern regional council meeting in Visakhapatnam.

He outlined the Navy's initiative of conducting 'industry yatras,' where multidisciplinary teams visit industrial corridors to align existing capabilities with the Navy's requirements, facilitating greater participation from industry partners in achieving self-reliance.

Highlighting the Indian Navy's strides in enhancing indigenous content in ship and submarine design, construction, and equipment, Vice Admiral Pendharkar emphasized the focus on indigenous design and construction as part of the navy's goal to acquire approximately 170 ships and submarines by 2035.

He underscored the importance of a supportive policy framework, mentioning the establishment of a dedicated organisation within the navy to support Atmanirbharta initiatives, such as the Directorate of Indigenisation (DoI).

The DoI has identified over 5,600 items for import substitution, with ongoing projects worth Rs 3,218.5 crore.

Additionally, the navy is collaborating with MSMEs, startups, and large industries through schemes like iDEX, TDF, and MAKE, fostering innovation and partnership in defence manufacturing.

Discussions are underway to engage firms in areas like 3D printing and scanning, furthering the integration of industry expertise in defence indigenisation efforts.