New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh interacted with the heads of eight Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) on Monday and urged them to enhance their production of latest technologies with more focus on research and development in the emerging fields of modern warfare, in view of the prevailing geopolitical scenario and the recent developments.
Singh also commended the role of the entire defence industry, including DPSUs, in developing platforms and technologies that demonstrated the preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor. He emphasised that the Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains committed to strengthening the defence industrial base and enhancing the competitiveness of the DPSUs.
During the meeting, Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), revealed how the value of production is poised to be more than Rs 1,40,000 crore for Financial Year 2024-25. Of this, nearly 78% would be contributed by the DPSUs.
While appreciating the increase in the value of production by DPSUs, the defence minister exhorted them to focus on timely delivery of products to the Armed Forces as well as their other customers. He emphasised the role of DPSUs in increasing exports and directed them to increase their focus on better marketing of products.
He congratulated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on getting the Maharatna status and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) on being accorded with the the Navratna Status.
The CMDs of eight DPSUs – HAL, MDL, Bharat Electronics Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and BEML Limited presented the cheques for interim dividend on equity shares held by the Government for Rs 2,138 crore for the 2024-25 Financial Year.
