Samtel Avionics is one of India’s leading players in high-technology avionics and rugged electronic systems for military applications. In an exclusive interaction with The Dollar Business, Puneet Kaura, MD & CEO, Samtel Avionics Ltd., talks about opportunities available to Indian companies in the defence sector and how Samtel is tapping them to become a powerhouse in avionics and technology solutions.
TDB: How has Samtel Avionics evolved with time?
Puneet Kaura (PK): Samtel Avionics is a part of the four-decade old Samtel Group, India’s renowned integrated manufacturer, with a well-established history of manufacturing a wide range of displays for avionics, military, industrial and professional applications. Thanks to the rapid strides made by us using indigenous manufacturing and technology, we are today, one of India’s fastest growing private defence companies that deal in the entire range of high-technology rugged military systems and products. In fact, we straddle the entire value chain – from design, development, manufacturing, testing, qualification, repair and maintenance to obsolescence management of avionics products and equipment.
TDB: In recent times, defence budgets around the world have witnessed a dip because of the sluggish global economy. Has this impacted you?
PK: It is true that the global economy isn’t at its best. Defence budgets worldwide are being slashed and the global aerospace and defence players are now reviewing their strategies. However, we see an opportunity here. To accommodate their shrinking budgets, global companies and a number of governments are now increasingly looking for much more cost-competitive supply partners, and this is where we come into the picture. The eye of the entire world is now on upcoming manufacturing hotspots such as India. Also, with big ticket defence purchases by India on the cards, global firms are looking at competent players like Samtel Avionics to fulfil their huge offset obligations.
TDB: Despite MSMEs being the backbone of Indian economy, the segment has a mere 9% share in the defence sector. What do you think needs to be done to help MSMEs integrate into the global defence supply chain?
This story is from the March 2017 edition of The Dollar Business.
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This story is from the March 2017 edition of The Dollar Business.
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