Kanpur: Uttar Pradesh is stepping up efforts to establish itself as a global hub for defence manufacturing, with Kanpur emerging as a key centre under the next phase of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC).
A Kanpur Regional Defence Workshop, organised in partnership with the state government and Observer Research Foundation (ORF), brought together government officials, defence manufacturers, researchers, investors, policymakers and MSME representatives to discuss investment, research, technology development, skill training and greater participation of local industries in the defence sector.
The discussions focused on developing Kanpur’s existing manufacturing and engineering base into a stronger defence production ecosystem while creating a skilled workforce capable of meeting the specialised requirements of the sector.
IIT Kanpur, BHU to support defence technology
A major focus of the proposed expansion is collaboration with leading academic and research institutions. IIT Kanpur and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) are expected to contribute to research and the development of new defence technologies.
Kanpur District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh said the city, historically known as the “Manchester of the East”, has the industrial capabilities needed to emerge as a major defence manufacturing centre.
ORF Vice-President Professor Harsh Pant said India’s defence strategy is increasingly focused on domestic production rather than dependence on imports. He said Uttar Pradesh’s Defence Industrial Corridor could play an important role in strengthening the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
The workshop was organised as part of ORF’s ‘Strategic Uttar Pradesh’ initiative, which seeks to bring stakeholders from across the defence ecosystem onto a common platform, attract investment into UPDIC and identify opportunities for strengthening defence manufacturing in different cities.
Focus on research, MSMEs and skilled manpower
Kanpur MP Ramesh Awasthi said the Defence Industrial Corridor could help establish Uttar Pradesh as a major centre for the production of weapons and defence equipment.
The proposed collaboration with IIT Kanpur and BHU is expected to increase the role of science, research and advanced technology across the corridor. Government representatives, defence companies, research institutions, policymakers, industry leaders and MSMEs discussed ways to develop an integrated roadmap for Kanpur’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
A particular emphasis was placed on Uttar Pradesh’s large young workforce. Training programmes aligned with the specialised requirements of defence manufacturers are expected to help create a skilled talent pool for the sector.
Tanmay Tiwari of Datum Advanced Composites stressed the need to rapidly strengthen industrial infrastructure and expand skill-development programmes. Research and technological expertise available at institutions such as IIT Kanpur and BHU, he said, should reach ITIs and local technical institutions.
Industry-led training and internship programmes could provide young people with employment opportunities while simultaneously creating a reliable skilled workforce for defence manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh.
Easier testing and certification for MSMEs
The workshop also examined challenges faced by local MSMEs, particularly those related to testing, quality checks, trials and certification.
Major General P.K. Saini of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers said changes in defence procurement procedures were making it easier for new and smaller industries to participate in defence production.
Participants stressed that the Make in India approach should extend beyond assembling imported components. Greater emphasis is needed on developing indigenous designs, intellectual property, software and upgrade technologies within the country.
Kanpur already has a substantial engineering and manufacturing base, which officials and industry representatives believe can provide a foundation for developing a larger domestic defence supply chain.
Foreign investors show interest
The city’s emergence as a defence manufacturing destination is also attracting interest from international businesses and investors.
Udaya Arun of the US-India Business Council said industry and investors were showing strong interest in Kanpur because of its growing importance within the Defence Industrial Corridor.
Commodore Anil Jai Singh of TKMS India said foreign defence companies operating in India were increasingly recognising the potential of the country’s expanding defence market and were interested in participating in the ecosystem.
Defence technology could benefit civilian industries
The proposed expansion is expected to have applications beyond the defence sector. Discussions at the workshop highlighted the potential of dual-use and deep-tech technologies that could serve both defence requirements and civilian industries.
Research collaborations involving IIT Kanpur could help develop technologies that can subsequently find applications in commercial manufacturing and other civilian sectors, potentially strengthening Kanpur’s wider industrial ecosystem.
The workshop also discussed creating a dedicated institutional mechanism to improve coordination among government agencies, industry, research institutions and other stakeholders.
The next phase of the initiative is expected to include a workshop in Jhansi, followed by a major Defence Conclave in Lucknow later this year. Recommendations emerging from the regional workshops are expected to contribute to the state’s broader strategy for positioning Uttar Pradesh as a significant player on the global defence manufacturing map.
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