Nagpur: The first batch of Multi-Mode Hand Grenades (MMHG) manufactured by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) was handed over to the Indian Army on Tuesday following the transfer of technology from the Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). In the presence of Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in Nagpur city of Maharashtra.
EEL Chairman SN Nuwal handed over a scale replica of the mmHG to the Defense Minister to mark the first delivery of ammunition from the private sector.
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The Defense Minister described the handing over of the MMHG as a major step towards increased cooperation between the public and private sectors and self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
“Today is a memorable day in the history of Indian defense sector. Our private industry is getting old when it comes to defense production. This is an important milestone not only in the field of defense manufacturing, but also in achieving ‘Self-reliant India’ as envisaged by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Appreciating DRDO and EEL for speedy delivery of orders amid COVID-19 restrictions, Singh expects speedy delivery of the next lot.
Addressing the gathering, he listed out the measures taken by the government to transform the defense sector into a self-sustaining industry that can meet the present and future needs of the armed forces.
Singh also made a special mention of another initiative taken by the government i.e. technology transfer to industries by DRDO.
Describing this measure as the backbone of the defense industry, he lauded DRDO for being an incubator that is providing free transfer of technologies as well as access to testing facilities and over 450 patents.
“This has not only enabled the industry to use ready-to-use technologies, but has also saved time, energy and money,” he added.
Underlining the importance of Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX), Singh said that it aims at self-reliance and innovation and technology development in defense and aerospace sectors by involving industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutions. is to promote. academician
Raksha Mantri lauded the industry for indigenously developed products like ‘Multi-Mode Grenade’, ‘Arjun-Mark-1’ Tank, ‘Unmanned Surface Vehicle’ and ‘Sea Through Armour’.
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“Such products are not only being produced but also being exported on a large scale. The number of online export authorizations during 2016-17 to 2018-19 was 1,210. It has increased to 1,774 in the last two years. This has resulted in defense exports of over Rs 17,000 crore in the last two years,” he said, expressing confidence that India would soon be manufacturing defense products not only for domestic use, but for the entire world.
Chief of the Army Staff, General MM Naravane, Secretary, Department of Defense Research and Development, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman, DRDO and DG Infantry Lt Gen AK Samantara were present on the occasion.
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