Amid India’s strong push towards defence indigenisation, the Indian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to strengthen research and manufacturing capabilities within the Army’s workshop ecosystem.
The MoU, signed on 23 January, aims to promote close cooperation between Army Base Workshops (ABWs), Corps Zone Workshops, and the 33 MSME Technology Centres operating across the country. This partnership is expected to bring advanced manufacturing technologies and modern industrial practices into the Army’s maintenance and production framework.
According to the Indian Army, the objective of the MoU is to collaborate on research and manufacturing in emerging and high-impact technologies such as advanced multi-axis machining, additive manufacturing (3D printing), drone technology, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), cloud computing, and 5G-enabled data analysis. By leveraging the combined expertise of Army workshops and MSME technology centres, the initiative seeks to improve efficiency, precision, and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Army Base Workshops, established during the Second World War, play a critical role in repairing, overhauling, and upgrading weapons, vehicles, and military equipment. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that Army assets remain operationally ready at all times. Over the years, these workshops have evolved into key pillars of the Army’s logistics and sustenance system.
Regular overhauls are essential to neutralise the effects of age, wear, and operational stress on equipment. The goal is to restore weapon systems to a “zero hour, zero kilometre” condition, ensuring maximum reliability during both peace and wartime operations.
The overall responsibility for maintaining the availability of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and equipment rests with the Master General of Sustenance (MGS) at Army Headquarters, a senior officer who reports directly to the Chief of the Army Staff. This MoU strengthens the MGS framework by introducing modern manufacturing technologies and industry collaboration into the Army’s maintenance ecosystem.
The partnership reflects a broader national strategy to reduce dependence on imports, enhance domestic capabilities, and align defence preparedness with India’s growing MSME and technology ecosystem.
