How would you analyze the ‘Make in India' initiative in the context of your industry?
The defence manufacturing in India, in general, is at a nascent stage; and even more so for private sector. The need for establishing domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and capacities has been felt and articulated, and work to put in place a vision, policy and regulatory framework, is underway.

From the stage we are at, Godrej sees great opportunity for growth in a sustained manner for the domestic industry - and for us based on the capabilities and capacities we have developed. Competence and capabilities established by Indian Manufacturers, in conjunction with proven track record of sophisticated engineering and R&D with world majors for similar requirements to address the large domestic market, will make it sustainable.

Godrej looks forward to a sustained growth as Indian manufacturers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and competitive. Encouraged by the Government's Make in India programme, the defence sector too can replicate the success achieved in several other sectors.

Being associated with nuclear and space programmes requires working with difficult materials as well as sophisticated machinery, complying with various international codes and inspection requirements. How has G&B built these capabilities in terms of equipment as well as know-how? What kind of investments have you made in terms of machinery and technology?
These businesses are capital, technology, knowledge and skill intensive. Investment in machinery and equipment is only a part of the overall investments one has to make in building capabilities and capacity. Merely buying and installing machines and equipment cannot help build capacity. It is necessary, but not sufficient condition.

Godrej has been making investments in these businesses for nearly a decade and a half. A ball park figure for defence is about Rs300 crore of investment in plant & machinery and knowhow, capabilities & technologies. For aerospace & nuclear power, it would be another Rs150 crore for plant & machinery, technologies, capabilities & knowhow. Capacities and capabilities have thus been painstakingly built over the years.

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