HAL and MPLUN Organise Vendor Development Programme in Indore, Creating New Opportunities for Madhya Pradesh MSMEs in the Defence Manufacturing Sector

HAL’s various units highlight procurement, outsourcing and indigenisation opportunities; programme facilitates direct interaction among senior defence officials, industry representatives and MSMEs

Indore, October 27, 2026: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, in association with Madhya Pradesh Laghu Udyog Nigam Limited (MPLUN), an undertaking of the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of Madhya Pradesh, organised a Vendor Development Programme at Essentia Luxury Hotel, Indore. The programme aimed to connect micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Madhya Pradesh with the supply chain of the aerospace and defence manufacturing sectors and introduce them to new business opportunities.

The programme was organised in alignment with the objectives of the World Bank-supported Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India. Conducted in collaboration with MPLUN, the state nodal agency for the RAMP scheme in Madhya Pradesh, the programme provided entrepreneurs from the state with an opportunity to interact directly with various HAL units and gain insights into their procurement requirements, technical specifications, quality management systems, vendor registration, outsourcing, indigenisation and supply chain opportunities.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri S. K. Patra, Chief Executive Officer (MiG Complex), HAL, highlighted the importance of developing a capable domestic vendor ecosystem to meet the country’s growing aerospace and defence manufacturing requirements. Shri Rakesh Bhavsar, Independent Director, HAL, shared his views on the role of MSMEs in the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the need to strengthen indigenous manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. Shri S. C. Karan, Additional Director General, Aeronautical Quality Assurance, Nashik, provided insights into the importance of quality management, technical compliance and reliable production standards in the defence manufacturing sector.

During the programme, Consortium Coordinator Shri Siddharth Dhawale discussed opportunities for MSMEs to access larger industrial opportunities through consortium formation and collective participation. Dr. Suhas Joshi, Director of IIT Indore, highlighted the potential for collaboration between industry and academic institutions in the areas of innovation, research and technological development.

The programme was also attended by Shri Anil Thagale, Deputy Chief General Manager, HAL; Shri S. S. Mandloi, Joint Director, MSME, Indore; Shri Swapnil Garg, General Manager, DTIC; and RAMP team members from EY, Shri Mihir Anand, Shri Abhinam Patel and Ms. Enosha Arshad.

A key highlight of the programme was the series of technical and business sessions conducted by HAL’s Nashik, Korwa, Hyderabad and Lucknow units. Representatives from HAL’s Nashik unit outlined requirements and opportunities related to outsourcing, indigenisation and Integrated Materials Management (IMM). Representatives from the Korwa, Hyderabad and Lucknow units also delivered presentations on their products, manufacturing requirements and potential supply opportunities for MSMEs.

In addition, a representative of the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) provided detailed information on regulatory compliance, quality assurance and prescribed technical standards applicable to the defence manufacturing sector.

The programme also featured product displays, business-to-business (B2B) meetings and vendor registration assistance. These activities enabled MSMEs to showcase their manufacturing capabilities and products, interact directly with HAL representatives, understand the vendor registration process and learn about potential business opportunities related to component supply, product development, procurement and import substitution.

The joint initiative by HAL and MPLUN provided MSMEs in Madhya Pradesh with insights into opportunities to become part of the supply chains of strategically important sectors such as defence and aerospace. Advancing the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, the programme marked an important step towards strengthening indigenous manufacturing, promoting technological upgradation and quality enhancement, and increasing the participation of enterprises from Madhya Pradesh in the defence sector.

The event was an important part of the ongoing efforts of the Department of MSME, Government of Madhya Pradesh, through MPLUN and the RAMP scheme, to connect enterprises across the state with large public sector undertakings, institutional buyers and new markets.