The Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) organised the defense sector ICT conclave in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, and Ministry of External Affairs.
During the inaugural session, Madhu Arora, member (technology), Digital Communications Commission (DCC), DoT noted that India’s exports have surged by a staggering 35 per cent and India is competing on equal terms in quality with the best manufacturers in the world. At home, India has installed around 4,42,000 5G base stations and nearly 80 per cent equipment used in the 5G rollout in India was manufactured indigenously.
She added that India’s commitment to fostering innovation and manufacturing has positioned it as a global leader in delivering cutting-edge trusted telecom systems and bespoke solutions which can be tailored to the specific needs of other countries.
In addition, Arora said, “We are open to technology tie-ups to foster self-reliance in technology development. The potential of Indian telecom products to transform the defence sector of any country is immense. By harnessing cost-effectiveness, our trusted telecom products and expertise, resilient communication infrastructure can be built that empowers defence forces to safeguard national interests more effectively.”
Meanwhile, Jaideep Mazumdar, secretary (east), Ministry of External Affairs noted that no nation can afford to lag in the use of ICT. Increasingly, ICT plays a critical role in national defence. From facilitating real-time coordination to enabling advanced data analysis and decision-making, ICT forms the backbone of defence operations in the 21st century. He added that India’s vibrant ICT sector, characterised by innovation and ingenuity is future-ready.
According to Mazumdar, India possesses significant capabilities in satellite technologies that are today an essential element in defence capabilities, the convergence of ICT with emerging technologies that is artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned systems holds immense promise for transforming defence operations. He added that the telecom sector which has expertise in network infrastructure, connectivity solutions and communication technologies is uniquely positioned to address the complex challenges faced by defence establishments.
Mazumdar further added that India’s prowess in cyber security is crucial in an area where cyber-attacks pose a significant risk to national security. India’s ICT sector boasts world-class cyber security solutions ranging from encryption technologies to threat detection systems.
In addition, N G Subramaniam, chairman, TEPC, said, “India has built huge capabilities in the area of information and cyber security. Our cyber security experts work tirelessly round the clock to fortify our defence networks, shield them from cyber-attacks and safeguard very sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.”
He further said that our expertise in data analytics and AI empowers India’s defence forces with predictive insights and actionable intelligence, enhancing decision-making and operational effectiveness in the front.
