SIDM, November 26

DEFCOM, India’s International Conference & Exposition on Military Communication, has evolved over the years to become a landmark platform for collaboration between the Indian Armed Forces, Academia, Research and Development Organizations and the Industry on all aspects pertaining to Information and Communications Technology applications in the defence forces. 

DEFCOM 2019 is being jointly organized by the Corps of Signals of Indian Army, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and is being held on 26 and 27 November 2019 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. “Communications as a Decisive Catalyst for Jointness” has been selected as the key theme for the conference this year. 

While delivering the welcome address, Mr Jayant Patil, President (Designate), Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) remarked that DEFCOM 2019 has brought together startups, R&D organizations and academia under one platform to showcase new technologies. Mr Patil commended the Ministry of Defence for setting out a well-defined target for the Indian Defence Production and Defence Exports by the year 2025. He also appreciated the persistent efforts of the Corps of Signals of Indian Army for encouraging indigenous manufacture of IT and Communications systems. 

Lieutenant General Rajeev Sabherwal, AVSM, VSM, Signal Officer-in-Chief and Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals, in his Opening Address, highlighted that the recent announcement of the CDS by the Hon'ble PM is an important milestone towards achieving tri- services jointness. General Sabherwal dwelt upon the critical importance of communication networks as the core element of “jointness” in every domain of warfare. He conveyed that the envisaged outcome of DEFCOM 2019 would be to define the contours of a joint communications framework for the tri-services. 

Gen Bipin Rawat, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff, delivered the Keynote Address and shared that in times to come, there will be major changes in the Corps of Signals, thereby enabling them to play a pivotal role in synergizing communications between the three services. He stressed on the need for developing indigenous technology to ensure highest level of security of the communication networks. Gen Rawat added that the network for spectrum will connect all military stations of the three services which will enable synergy of the desired level. He conveyed that the DEFCOM provides opportunity for the Industry to understand the requirements of the armed forces and match the same with Industry capabilities 

The Chief Guest for the conference, Hon'ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, in his inaugural address, stressed on the importance of communications in achieving tri- services jointness. He said that the role of the defence industry will be critical in meeting the target of 5 Trillion USD economy by 2024. He also drew attention to the role of MSMEs in the defence ecosystem and shared that it is the Govt’s aim to have a two-fold increase in the number of MSMEs from 8,000 to 16,000. 

The address by the Chief Guest, was followed by the release of the journal for DEFCOM 2019, which is a compendium of the selected papers around the conference theme. An exhibition, inaugurated by the Chief Guest, showcasing the industry capabilities and products is also being held alongside the conference. 

Lieutenant General JP Nehra, PVSM, AVSM**(Retd), Principal Advisor (Defence) of CII, concluded the Inaugural Session and stated that the future wars will be complex demanding all organs to work together against the adversaries. He complimented the Govt’s announcement of appointment of Chief Defence Staff (CDS) and urged the Govt. for its early implementation. He also requested the Govt. to relook at the budgetary allocation for the services to achieve the desired level of modernization.