The Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, has emphasized the significance of prioritizing quality in defence manufacturing, stating it as a critical factor to effectively compete in the international market. Speaking at the plenary session of the DRDO Quality Conclave themed ‘Quality Odyssey for Self Reliance in Defence Products’ in New Delhi on November 29, 2023, he emphasized that top-notch quality is imperative to meet Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India as a global manufacturing hub and a major defence exporter.
Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that countries excelling in manufacturing superior-quality products witness global demand for their equipment. He underscored that while the prices of such platforms are high due to their superior quality, importing countries are willing to invest in these state-of-the-art products.
Underlining the role of high-quality products in enhancing the credibility of the domestic defence industry, the Defence Minister asserted that producing such equipment within the nation would amplify global demand and elevate India’s standing in the international market. He also stressed the necessity of maintaining cost-effectiveness without compromising on quality in the production of defence equipment.
“While ensuring cost control is crucial, it should never compromise on quality. Our focus should be on global cost competitiveness without compromising on high quality standards. This should be our guiding principle,” remarked Shri Rajnath Singh. He emphasized the need to manufacture military systems of superior quality that are efficient, reliable, safe, and facilitate the Armed Forces in accomplishing their missions successfully.
During the event, the Defence Minister presented System for Advanced Manufacturing Assessment and Ranking (SAMAR) certificates to qualified industry representatives.
In addition to the Defence Minister, the Secretary of Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat, reiterated DRDO’s dedication to delivering top-quality systems. He urged all stakeholders to collectively work towards achieving self-reliance in superior quality indigenous military systems. The event was also graced by the presence of Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Chairman, Quality Council of India, Shri Jaxay Shah.
The conclave brought together DRDO Director Generals, Directors, Quality heads of DRDO Laboratories, industry experts, and other stakeholders. It provided a platform for key stakeholders in the Defence sector to exchange views and deliberate on realizing the dual objectives of self-reliance and exports.
The event encompassed discussions in two sessions focused on ‘Improving self-Reliance & Quality Culture in Defence Manufacturing’ and ‘Quality Assurance in Defence & Aerospace.’ The conclave facilitated networking opportunities among stakeholders and experts to establish an ecosystem for producing high-quality indigenous systems, implementing standards, policies, and global best practices. Participants deliberated on various aspects to drive a quality-centric revolution in India’s defence manufacturing for an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’