Forth coming IIRF online lecture on Aerospace and Defence Technology – Topic of the week – “EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE FOR MODERNIZATION OF ARMED FORCES – A CONSORTIUM APPROACH.” Speaker – LT GEN DR ANIL KAPOOR, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
Google Meet joining info – Wednesday, 1 November · 3:30 – 4:30pm
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rrz-xzfw-xfj
Introduction
Indus International Research Foundation (IIRF) is launching its weekly Indian Defence Technology Lecture Series from 01st November 2023 onwards. This lecture series is aimed at the Indian Defence Industry, entrepreneurs in the Aerospace and Defence sectors in India and abroad. The theme of the above Lecture series is ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat in Aerospace and Defence Industry- the Way Forward for Strong and Resilient India’.
Background
- India’s 11% share in the global arms import market makes it the world’s largest importer of defence equipment.
- In 2022 alone, India imported equipment worth Rs 40.8 thousand crores.
- India’s Five-year cumulative import bills are a whopping Rs 1.9 lakh crore (almost $24 billion, which does not include the Rs 59000 crore Rafael deal.)
- Import includes helicopters, UAVs, aircraft radars, rockets, artillery guns, assault rifles, missiles and ammunition.
Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Under the GoI policy of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, reducing reliance on imports is high on the agenda.
- Amended Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP-2020) highly prefaces the ‘Buy Indian’ acquisition category.
National Priority – Opportunity for Private Sector
- Opening of a market of the size mentioned above offers a huge business opportunity for Indian private aerospace and defence sectors, entrepreneurs, SMEs and startups.
- The Indian aerospace and defence industry is also hungry for absorption of emerging technology.
- It is a point to note that our premier educational institutions like IITs, IISc, NITs etc are hubs producing young high-tech entrepreneurs in emerging technology in the fields of IT, IOT, AI and other forms of advance automation. We need to ensure that this talent pool is channelised towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence sector as well.
Challenges for the Indian Private Defence Sector
- Lack of information and clarity about the requirement of equipment based on emerging technology for defence forces now and in future.
- Lack of communication channels between the Indian defence forces and the private entrepreneurs in the field of manufacturing, startups and innovations needed in the Armed Forces.
- Lack of ecosystem to understand defence needs to focus, innovate and showcase ingenious high-end defence technology products.
- Lack of funding avenues and venture capital resources to sustain private research and innovation in India.
- Lack of information about opportunities for Indian defence entrepreneurs in the above areas available in India and abroad.
Purpose
Therefore, the purpose of this lecture series is to create awareness, deliberate the technology needs of India in the defence sector , create channels of communication between experienced defence experts and the emerging community of defence innovators/entrepreneurs. Purpose is also to explore opportunities and challenges as regards GoI policy of Atmanirbhar Bharat for Indian private defence industries, and highlight the facilities offered by various defence corridors created in India and USA to facilitate research in this field and proliferate private defence industries, entrepreneurs, SMSEs and Startups.
Subjects to be deliberated during the above lectures are: –
(a) Emerging technology landscape for armed forces modernisation – a consortium approach.
(b) An overview of India’s security needs and critical areas of defence technology.
(c) Critical and emerging technologies that need national missions to achieve self-sufficiency.
(d) National technology strategy and how to build technology sovereignty?
(e) Challenges of ship building industry in India – the way ahead .
(f) How to charter trials 1 to 9 and progress the technology forecast and development cycles?
(g) Defence Technology Startups – How the USI is helping?
(h) Challenges faced by defence MSMEs and Startups to sustain in India.
(i) Role of Academia in capacity building in conjunction with the industry and the R&D organisations.
(j) Opportunity for private entrepreneurs in Indo-US collaborative environment in Defence Production.
(k) Areas in which Private sectors can step in to substitute defence imports in India.
(For dates, please see the attached calendar of events or wait for the intimation prior to the event)
Speakers
Speakers covering the above topics in our weekly online lecture series will be high-ranking retired and serving defence officers with in-depth practical and professional knowledge of the subject, Specialist representing the leading defence and strategic think tanks of India, highly ranking Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials dealing with the subject in the GoI, and high profile speakers from Academia, private defence industry leaders, officials from Indian Chambers of Commerce, representatives of the World Trade Centre, Utah, USA and members of IIRF Americas working actively with world trade Centre and PMO office under Indus X on Indo-US Aerospace and Defence Technology Corridor.
Terminal Objective
The terminal objective of the above series of lectures is to culminate into an “IIRF Aerospace and Defence Technology Conclave” to be held in Bangalore during February / March 2024 to coincide with the visit of an “Indo-US Trade Delegation” comprising American MSMEs seeking collaboration with Indian Partners in the defence technology sector. The President IIRF Americas is in touch with the above US delegation put together under the aegis of “World Trade Centre Utah” as a follow-up to “Silicon Slopes Summit 2023” (Please see the report below). Through the above lecture series and the IIRF Aerospace and Defence Technology Conclave, IIRF shall try to create awareness about the opening of the Indian defence industry the private sectors in India and abroad. Attempt will also be made to interface Defence Services requirements with private entrepreneurs and startups at a conceptual level and explore and facilitate opportunities for foreign collaboration in defence technology in India while highlighting the opportunities available through various Defence Corridors in India and abroad and challenges faced by Defence SMSE and Startups in India.
Additional Inputs
Guru Prasad Sowle, with T.J Colaiezzi, CEO of LifeBrand, the lead sponsor for Silicon Slopes Summit 2023 The World Trade Center Utah Team
UNITES STATES , October 4, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — Salt Lake City, Utah – 10/04/2023
Mr. Guru Prasad Sowle, Founder and Director of the Indus International Research Foundation, was formally welcomed by the World Trade Centre Utah (WTC Utah) as India’s representative at the renowned Silicon Slopes Summit 2023. The summit, held annually in Salt Lake City, Utah, stands as a beacon for tech entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders worldwide.
His presence at the summit forged robust connections between Utah and India, paving the way for dynamic collaborations and investment prospects as he engaged in high-level networking sessions with potential partners keen on exploring the vibrant Indian market.
As India’s foremost representative, he shared his visionary insights, elevating India’s stature on the global tech landscape.
David Carlbach, COO and Managing Director of International Programs at WTC Utah remarked, “WTC Utah leaders consider India to represent the best partner for new trade and investment opportunities. We support investment by helping Indian companies do business and grow in the US, ideally by establishing a sales, customer success, or development site in Utah. Silicon Slopes Summit is the state’s premier event for connecting Utah tech to the world.”
This summit served as an important platform to funnel businesses into India, bolstering bilateral trade between the two nations. With Utah poised to become the next Silicon Valley of the US and India as the epicenter of tech innovation, the event promises a wealth of opportunities that could fuel a new wave of growth for both countries.
Additionally, Mr. Sowle’s visionary proposal for an Indo-US economic corridor, discussed with the honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holds the potential to revolutionize the Indian MSME sector in the Indo-US market. This initiative, supported by the World Trade Centre, is poised to enhance the bilateral trade between India and the US.
“As Utah solidifies its reputation as the crossroads of the world, we are proud to host distinguished organizations like the Indus International Research Foundation USA and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Dallas Chapter. These collaborations drive innovation on a global scale and pave the way for enduring partnerships,” said Jonathan Freedman, President and CEO of WTC Utah.
IIRF Lecture Series Speakers Profile
Lecture No – 1 , 1st November , 2023 3.30 – 4.30 PM (IST)
Topic -EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE FOR MODERNIZATION OF ARMED FORCES – A CONSORTIUM APPROACH
Speaker Biodata – LT GEN DR ANIL KAPOOR, AVSM, VSM (Retd)
Lt Gen Dr Anil Kapoor AVSM, VSM superannuated as Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers strategically leading the landscape of maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) and technology and innovation management of the complete plethora of equipment of the Indian Army. Prior to this appointment he was the Director General Information Systems, where he steered the information systems management, digital technology transformation and net centricity of the million strong Indian Army as a Tri Service Program. He has also been on two UN peacekeeping assignments. He was Senior Logistics Officer in UN Mission in Angola (1995) and Deputy Chief Integrated Support Services in UN Mission in Sudan (2008) and actively participated in the war zone in Op Vijay (Kargil -1999), Op Parakram (2001-02) and Op Snow Leopard (Eastern Ladakh 2020) during his military career. Post retirement, he served as Director General Amity University where he established Amity Institute of Defence Technology and formulated Ph D and M Tech Programs in Defence Technology. Presently, he is a Board Member of the Technology Innovation Hub Governing Body IIT Tirupati. He is also a Professor of Practice at IIT Tirupati and Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal. He has been nominated as the Vice President and Chairman National Advisory Committee Asset Management Society India. The General is a qualified Master Class Independent Director and member of Institute of Directors and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. Has been guiding Start Ups and entrepreneurs in building a robust culture of innovation, technology and business development.
With over 42 years of professional experience, he is extremely proficient in leading large-scale technology, ICT and Information Systems projects, Big Data analytics and AI, management of technology transition, combat force regeneration, MRO and life cycle sustenance support. Adept at steering public policies given his diverse experience in operations he has been a part of a number of initiatives on supply chain and logistics, procurement, contracts, DAP 2020 formulation while in Service and post retirement to steer perspective issues on force modernisation, industry engagement and shaping technical minds for the future.
An accomplished thought leader with a proven track record, he has been acknowledged for his capabilities in delivering innovative, effective technical and engineering products and services. In a first of its kind, he conceptualised and drove a Life Cycle Sustenance Support Philosophy and Practices for Digital Era, Exercise Vishwakarma for technical skill development and a Lab to Market (Field Army) Strategy for innovative products and MRO best practices in the Army. A Chartered Engineer, he was awarded the Eminent Engineer Award 2020 on 15 Sep 2020 by the Institution of Engineers, India for outstanding professional contributions in engineering and displaying technical brilliance.
The General is a Gold Medalist both in B Tech (Electronics) and Master of Engineering (Mechanical) with an expertise in Radars & Guided Missiles and M Phil in Strategic Management of Technology. He has been awarded the Ph D for his thesis in Defence Industrial Base as a Key Determinant of Capability Building and Capacity Development of India. The General Officer is also recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM 2004) for outstanding professional performance in Operation Parakram and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2020 by the President of India for professional contributions as DGEME & DGIS.
The General is a prolific writer and an international speaker. Has been a keynote and invited speaker at Lulea University of Technology Sweden & CSR Conclave of IOD. He is on the Advisory Committee of Processing, Fabrication and Advanced Materials International Conference, Indian Society for Training & Development, Kolkata Chapter, Tech Observer India, Engineering Council Of India, to name a few. He speaks on Global MRO Mosaic of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Industrial Automation to Industrial Autonomy, NextGen Asset Management & MRO, Preventive Periodic Management to Predictive Prescriptive Maintenance, Life Cycle Sustenance Support, UN SDGs, Technology Sovereignty, CSR, Entrepreneurship and Start Up Eco system, Design Thinking and Learning to Think Strategically.
E Mail anilkapoor2012@yahoo.co.in
www.linkedin.com/in/lt-general-anil-kapoor
Cell 00918715823399
Public-Private Partnership in Defence Sector : IIRF weekly lecture series on Aerospace and Defence Technology – EMERGING TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE FOR MODERNIZATION OF ARMED FORCES – A CONSORTIUM APPROACH.
Wednesday, 1 November · 3:30 – 4:30pm
Time zone: Asia/Kolkata
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rrz-xzfw-xfj
Or dial: (US) +1 775-476-2873 PIN: 101 468 281#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/rrz-xzfw-xfj?pin=5336807940458
Note :- You can post your Queries and comments here pertaining to the lectures and the forth coming IIRF Aerospace and Defence Conclave at Bangalore and we will respond here or get back to you via your e-mail. Thanks
