Defence cooperation is the cornerstone of the India-Israel relationship, says Ambassdor Singla
India and Israel have recently created a sub-working group under the Joint Working Group which will further pave the way for a healthy cooperation between the industries on both sides, especially the start-ups, said Sanjay Jaju, Additional Secretary (DP), Ministry of Defence.
As it is, there are a lot of mechanisms that have strengthened the bilateral cooperation in the field of defence between India and Israel, he said at the virtual session ‘India-Israel Defence Industry Cooperation-Collaboration Opportunities for MSMEs & Start-ups’, organized by FICCI and SIBAT of MoD, Israel, and supported by Department of Defence Production.
“Over the last 3 years, we have been able to engage over 1,000 start-ups in the defence and aerospace sector,” said Jaju while inviting the Israeli industries to invest in development of the two defence corridors setup by the government in UP and Tamil Nadu.
“In the defence sector, the government plays a pro-active role in facilitating the B2B opportunities and create enabling conditions for the businesses to prosper,” he pointed out.
“In the Defence sector, we want to create a vibrant manufacturing eco-system for defence and aero-space sector,” Jaju said at the session held 7 July 2021.
He explained that the Atmanirbhar Bharat program which means a self-reliant India. “Self-reliant does not mean becoming protectionist but it is a policy of allowing Indian and foreign industry to collaborate so that our companies become part of the global supply chain.”
Highlighting the liberalizations done in the Indian defence sector, Jaju highlighted that the Indian government has allowed 74% FDI under the automatic route and up to 100% under the government route. “This will further help in deepening and strengthening the collaborations between the industries of both countries.”
Brig Gen(Res) Yair Kulas, Director, SIBAT of Israel, noted, “We not only see India as a friend but also an important and strategic business partner.
“The key to success in these times is enhancing the coordination and joint activities between the defence ministries of the two countries. We support international cooperation including collaboration which will enable exports between both the countries.”
The Indian Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Kumar Singla, urged stakeholders to be mindful that any manufacturing ecosystem cannot restrict itself to large manufacturing base, but also the small manufacturers that fuel the larger manufacturers.
“Defence cooperation is the cornerstone of the India-Israel relationship.” The Indian companies, he said, brings with them the economies of scale backed by technical workforce and collaboration between the MSMEs of both countries promises to bring rich dividends.
Israeli Ambassador Dr Ron Malka pointed out that India and Israel are shining examples of how two countries can support each other and bring solutions even during the pandemic period. “Israel and India are not only competing with each other but also completing each other.”
India on its part has given the much-needed push to promote innovation in the defence manufacturing, noted S P Shukla, Chairman, FICCI Defence and Aerospace Committee and Group President (Defence, Aero, Agri and Steel); Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra Group.
The ‘Innovations for Defence Excellence – iDEX’ initiative is aimed to achieve self-reliance and foster innovation and technology development by actively engaging MSMEs, Start-ups and individual innovators, he highlighted.
Israel has been a source of high technology in military related equipment for India, according to Ashish Kansal, Chair, FICCI Taskforce on Defence Exports and Director, SMPP Private Limited. #defence #manufacturing #technology #investment /fiinews.com
