Maharashtra MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) Defence Expo 2024 was held at the Pune International Exhibition and Convention Center (PIECC) in Pune, Maharashtra from 24th to 26th February 2024.
- The theme of the 2024 expo is “Inspire : Learn : Engage”.
Points to note:
i.The 2024 Expo was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis.
ii.This 3-day event was India’s largest and Maharashtra’s first defense expo and aimed to promote MSME and other private companies.
About the Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo 2024:
Partners:
i.Organisers: Government of Maharashtra and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
ii.Knowledge Partner– Nibe Limited
iii.Supported by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Aim:
i.To manufacture the latest defense weapons domestically, involving industries near Pune in the production process under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Yojana.
ii.To foster collaboration, idea exchange, and progress.
Highlights:
i.Over 1,200 small companies showcased their defense-related capabilities at the Expo.
ii.Various weapons and equipment including tanks, helicopters, missiles, and artillery were exhibited.
- Key exhibits featured indigenous weapons like Dhruv and Prachand helicopters, Dhanush and Bofors guns, T-90 and Arjun Tanks, and the BMP-II vehicle.
iii.Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari visited the expo emphasizing self-reliance aligned with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
- The IAF demonstrated its capabilities with displays of indigenous helicopters and missile systems.
- An Induction Publicity and Exhibition Vehicle (IPEV) also showcased at IAF’s expo.
iv.Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar, also attended the event while Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Anil Chauhan participated virtually.
DRDO Handed Over 23 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology
During the MSME defence Expo 2024, DRDO handed over 23 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LATOT) to 22 industries in various domains such as electronics, laser technology, combat vehicles, naval systems, and aeronautics.
Key Points:
i.The agreemnet includes technologies like, Carbon/Carbon Aircraft brakes for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, HEAP Grenade for UBGL, and
Tank Transporter for MBT Arjun Mk – 1A.
ii.The agreement also covers Expendable Mobile Shelter Solar Heated Shelter, NMR-Supercapacitor, Weaponisation of Hand-Held Thermal Imager with LRF (WHHTI) and High Pressure Water Mist Fire Suppression System (HP WMFSS), among others.
iii.The products based on these DRDO technologies will boost the defence manufacturing sector and self-reliance in defence.
Additional info:
DRDO also handed over the SAMAR (System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating) assessment certificates to nine industry partners.
- SAMAR is a benchmark to measure the competence of defence manufacturing enterprises.
MoUs with Maharashtra Government:
During the 2024 expo, the MoUs were signed between the Maharashtra Govt and Max Aerospace and Aviation Pvt Ltd, SBL Energy Ltd, as well as collaboration between Nibe Ltd and Munitions India Limited.
i.Mumbai based Max Aerospace and Aviation Pvt Ltd signed a Rs 558 crore MoU with the Maharashtra State Government to establish a manufacturing facility in Nagpur, focusing on defense equipment production including Assault Rifles, Grenades, and Precision Munitions.
ii.Nagpur based SBL Energy Limited committed Rs 500 crore towards expanding their explosives production in Nagpur, catering to both industrial and defense sectors, aimed at job creation and skill development.
iii.Munitions India Limited partnered with Nibe Limited to invest Rs 300 crore in Pune for manufacturing 120 mm, 125 mm, and 155 mm ammunition for export, reinforcing its role in ammunition and explosives production.
- Pune based Munition India Limited is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence.
Key Points:
i.A new policy will be formulated to promote the defence industry in Maharashtra and efforts will be made to develop micro, small and medium enterprises in this sector.
ii.In 2017, Maharashtra has formulated an aerospace and defence policy and a fund of Rs 1000 crores has been created to promote this sector.
- 600 MSMEs have been created out of it.
Recent Related News:
i.Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi virtually launched the 511 Pramod Mahajan Grameen Kaushalya Vikas Kendras (PMGKVKs) established across 34 rural districts of Maharashtra through video conferencing. These PMGKVKs will conduct skill development training programs across various sectors to provide employment opportunities to rural youth.
ii.Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) of Mumbai, Maharashtra, has become the first airport in Asia to commission a “Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit” (DARK), to help stranded aircraft.
About Munitions India Limited (MIL):
Chairman & Managing Director– Ravi Kant (Maheshwari)
Parent Ministry– Ministry of Defence
Headquarters– Pune, Maharashtra
Establishment– 2021
