Jammu: The Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), organised the Regional Defence MSME Conclave 2025 in Jammu on Thursday.
Centred on the theme “Promoting MSMEs into Defence Manufacturing: Enabling Policies & Ease of Doing Business,” the conclave aimed to integrate regional Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into the national defence manufacturing ecosystem and promote self-reliance in the sector.
The event brought together senior representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces, Defence PSUs, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), SIDM, MSME sector, and regional entrepreneurs.
Maj Gen (Retd) P.K. Saini, VSM, Principal Advisor, SIDM, inaugurated the conclave, highlighting the key role of MSMEs in achieving ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defence.
“The MSMEs are not just vendors; they are the innovation engine and foundation of a robust defence supply chain,” he said, stressing the need to integrate small industries into mainstream defence production.
Mr. Neeraj Agrawal, DDG, Department of Military Affairs (DOMW), Ministry of Defence, outlined government initiatives to promote ease of doing business and support domestic industries. He cited the positive indigenisation lists and simplified Make procedures as major enablers for MSME participation in defence production.
Opportunities for MSMEs
Representing Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mr. Biju George, Director (Shipbuilding), said the company had earmarked over 350 components for procurement through MSMEs. He also pointed to incentives such as waiver of earnest money deposits (EMD), simplified registration processes, and milestone-based payments designed to support small suppliers.
Dr. M.A. Alim, Chairman, CII J&K UT Council, emphasised the potential of Jammu & Kashmir as an emerging hub for defence manufacturing. “The region’s unique industrial landscape, coupled with policy support and better connectivity, can open new opportunities for defence production,” he said.
Maj Gen Shaman Chodha (SD), representing HQ Northern Command, shared user-side insights on the operational needs and quality expectations of the armed forces.
Mr. Sarthak Khoda, from GeM, demonstrated the online platform’s procurement features and urged MSMEs to register and leverage digital tools for transparency and wider market access.
From MDL, Mr. J. Kumaran, DGM, explained the shipyard’s vendor development and quality assurance framework, reaffirming MDL’s commitment to mentoring and onboarding new MSME partners.
Mr. Devender Kumar Tyagi, Assistant Director, MSME-DFO Jammu, briefed participants on government schemes, credit support, and skill development initiatives available for MSMEs entering the defence supply chain.
The conclave concluded with structured B2B meetings, allowing over 90 delegates from MSMEs, start-ups, Defence PSUs, and industry bodies to explore partnership opportunities. The meetings focused on technical collaboration, procurement linkages, and knowledge sharing.
Supported by the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO), the event served as a significant step toward strengthening Jammu’s role in India’s defence manufacturing network under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
