‘Take benefit of opportunities in defense sector’

 

Elaborating on the emerging opportunities in the aerospace and defense sector, Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, AVSM, VSM, and AOC-in-C, HQ Maintenance Command, Indian Air Force, on Saturday said that entrepreneurs should take benefit of it and contribute to nation building. While addressing a gathering of business leaders, entrepreneurs, start-ups and students at a panel discussion on ‘Aerospace and defence sector’, he also stressed on the country’s self-reliance in the sector. “Through research, development and entrepreneurship, we can lead to the indigenisation of the Indian armed forces,” he said. The panel discussion was part of the ‘Advantage Vidarbha-2025’ being held here at RTMNU campus. Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg was chief guest and keynote speaker at the panel discussion while Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, Gurudutta Ray Choudhary, IOFS Director, Officiating CMD, Yantra India Ltd; Lt. Gen. Sanjay Verma, Veteran, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, and bar Ex. DWE, DRDO Chair and Emeritus Resource Faculty at Rashtriya Raksha

 

University; Air Marshal Sanjay Ghuratia, SMSO Maintenance Command, IAF, Yogendra Kumar, Vice President, Aar INDAMER and Maj. Gen. Anil Ban, SM VSM, (Veteran), President VDIA, were the panelists. Garg further said the country has made progress in research and development in various fields. “However, there is still a need for indigenous production of various defence equipment,” he said. He also encouraged the young entrepreneurs to take advantage of government schemes, funding, and incentives to develop innovative solutions for the military. In his address, Dr Bhimraya Metri expressed confidence that India will become a $5 trillion economy by 2027 and a global leader in various sectors. Air Marshal Sanjay Gurtu emphasized the need for startups to contribute to the military’s modernization efforts, while Major General Anil Bam highlighted India’s significant defence expenditure and the need for research and development to support the strengthen our capabilities. Other industry experts also shared their views on the topic.