India Inc wants share of 2000cr defence textile biz
Seeking a share of the Rs 2,000 crore a year clothing requirements of more than 15 lakh defence and 12 lakh paramilitary personnel, an industry chamber has urged the government to favour the domestic textile sector over imports as they had the cap...
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Seeking a share of the Rs 2,000 crore a year clothing requirements of more than 15 lakh defence and 12 lakh paramilitary personnel, an industry chamber has urged the government to favour the domestic textile sector over imports as they had the capability to deliver world-class military gear.
In a study conducted by Ficci after consulting DRDO, the industry chamber said many material currently in use were outdated and needed immediate upgrading. It said the government should leverage strengths of the domestic textile industry rather than being dependent on imports.
It said Indian companies were capable of manufacturing ������ 21st century battle suit embedded with nanotechnology that can stop bullets, detect chemical and biological agents, monitor wounded soldiers��� vital signs, administer first aid and also communicate with headquarters������ . ������ All this would be feasible in the Indian context , provided our defence forces promote more exchanges with the industry and encourage domestic manufacturing and innovation in technical textiles,������ a Ficci statement said. It said many Indian manufacturers were left out in the bidding race mainly because the tenders were phrased in such a manner where it helped a select few.
At a time when exports have gone down substantially, especially hitting the textile sector, the demands seem to be perfectly timed as the prospects of largescale unemployment in the industry is already haunting the UPA government ahead of general elections.
������ When demand for our textile products is weakening in the overseas market, strengthening industry-defence partnership would provide new avenues for Indian textiles,������ Ficci said. Providing an approximate size of the potential market for textiles in Indian defence, FICCI pointed out that the expenditure on uniforms alone was to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore.
In a study conducted by Ficci after consulting DRDO, the industry chamber said many material currently in use were outdated and needed immediate upgrading. It said the government should leverage strengths of the domestic textile industry rather than being dependent on imports.
It said Indian companies were capable of manufacturing ������ 21st century battle suit embedded with nanotechnology that can stop bullets, detect chemical and biological agents, monitor wounded soldiers��� vital signs, administer first aid and also communicate with headquarters������ . ������ All this would be feasible in the Indian context , provided our defence forces promote more exchanges with the industry and encourage domestic manufacturing and innovation in technical textiles,������ a Ficci statement said. It said many Indian manufacturers were left out in the bidding race mainly because the tenders were phrased in such a manner where it helped a select few.
At a time when exports have gone down substantially, especially hitting the textile sector, the demands seem to be perfectly timed as the prospects of largescale unemployment in the industry is already haunting the UPA government ahead of general elections.
������ When demand for our textile products is weakening in the overseas market, strengthening industry-defence partnership would provide new avenues for Indian textiles,������ Ficci said. Providing an approximate size of the potential market for textiles in Indian defence, FICCI pointed out that the expenditure on uniforms alone was to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
