"We are Developing A Quality Culture in Defense Manufacturing"

At the DRDO Quality Conclave, Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence  advise Indian defense firms to cultivate a culture of quality manufacturing in order for their country to become a net exporter of defense goods.

Shri Rajnath Singh has urged Indian defense firms to develop a culture of excellence in defense production, describing it as a requirement for competing in the international market. In his address to the plenary session of the DRDO Quality Conclave on the theme 'Quality Odyssey for Self Reliance in Defence Products' in New Delhi on November 29, 2023, he stated that only quality products generate global demand, and that this will help realize Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of making India a global manufacturing hub and a net defence exporter.

He stated that countries that produce high-quality goods export their equipment to countries all over the world. He added that the prices of these platforms are fairly high due to their excellent quality; however, it should be noted that importing countries are willing to pay even the highest rates for state-of-the-art items.

Stressing that top-quality products bring credibility to the domestic defence industry, He stated that manufacturing of such equipment within the country will generate increased global demand and bolster India’s reputation in the international market. He also underscored the importance of cost control while manufacturing quality defence products.

Cost control should be prioritized; however, it should not come at the expense of quality. We must be globally cost competitive while also remaining in the top quality area. "We must pursue this concept." He emphasized the importance of producing high-quality military systems that are effective, reliable, and safe, and can enable the Armed Forces to accomplish the missions successfully.

He also delivered certificates for the System for Advanced Manufacturing Assessment and Ranking (SAMAR) to representatives of qualifying industries. 

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat reaffirmed DRDO’s commitment towards delivering quality systems. He requested all stakeholders to have firm resolve and synergise towards self-reliance in high quality indigenous military systems. Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Chairman, Quality Council of India Shri Jaxay Shah were also present.

DRDO Director Generals, Directors, Quality heads of DRDO Laboratories, experts from industry, and other stakeholders also attended the colloquium. It provided a shared forum for important stakeholders in the defense domain to share opinions and discuss on how to achieve the dual aim of self-reliance and exports.

The Conclave was divided into two sessions: ‘Improving Self-Reliance & Quality Culture in Defence Manufacturing’ and ‘Quality Assurance in Defense & Aerospace’. During the conclave sessions, experts from industry, government quality assurance agencies, and user services shared their viewpoints.

The conclave allowed stakeholders to network with specialists in order to build an ecosystem in the country for generating high-quality indigenous systems, implementing standards, rules, and global best practices. The attendees discussed several factors of quality for a 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' defense manufacturing revolution in India.