Kolkata: Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth addressed the senior officials of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Gun and Shell Factory (GSF), Kashipur during his maiden visit to Kolkata. The Minister emphasized AWEIL’s achievements and future prospects as a premier Defense Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU).
1. AWEIL’s Progress as a DPSU:
– Operating for over two years and nine months.
– Certified integrated facilities for low-cost, high-quality ammunition hardware and weapon systems of small, medium, and large calibers.
2. Legacy and Dedication:
– Rich legacy of over 220 years of service by ordnance factories.
– Highly committed, skilled, and dedicated workforce.
3. Government Initiatives:
– Significant capital investment in defense sector imports.
– Removal of many defense products from the import list to encourage domestic production.
– Focus on increasing the export of defense products to strengthen the country’s economic situation and global market presence.
4. Current Orders and Sales:
– Orders worth ₹9380 crores available till 2032-33.
– Expected total orders to exceed ₹10,000 crores by September 2024.
– Recorded sales of ₹2018 crores (provisional) in FY 2023-24, a 6.2% increase from ₹1900 crores in the previous fiscal year.
5. Export Achievements:
– Total export orders worth ₹615 crores since corporatization.
– Orders for medium-caliber weapons, small arms, artillery gun parts, and ammunition hardware from European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and American countries.
6. GSF’s Contributions:
– India’s first and oldest ordnance factory.
– Manufacturer of medium-caliber guns like the 84mm RL MK-III and AK-630M naval gun.
– Recent indigenous development of the AO-18 ordnance related to the AK-630M gun, previously imported from other nations.
Addressing the Competitive Era:
The Minister highlighted the need to improve performance, efficiency, and skills to compete with both Government PSUs and private industries. He assured that the Government of India will continue to support these initiatives.
Call to Action:
Shri Sanjay Seth urged AWEIL’s skilled, qualified, and experienced workforce to maximize the use of all human resources and collaborate with associated establishments to achieve success in line with the nation’s aspirations.
This visit underscores the commitment of the Ministry of Defence to bolster India’s defense capabilities and promote self-reliance in defense production.
