Subbu Venkatachalam, Head of Marketing at Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI), takes a moment to reflect on the positive strides witnessed in the Indian defense sector as the year draws to a close. CUMI, an organization dealing in material sciences and integral part of the 120-year-old Murugappa Group, is one of the market leaders in Abrasives, Industrial Ceramics, and Electro Minerals. Listed on the National and Bombay Stock Exchanges, CUMI stands as one of the leading materials science solutions company.
Venkatachalam notes the recent noteworthy developments in the Indian defense sector, capturing international attention through collaborations and technological advancements. The sector has been making headlines for its focus on achieving self-reliance, evident in initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India. This drive toward self-sufficiency has garnered patriotic support from the industry, setting the stage for an expanded role in defense exports. The government’s embargo on specific defense exports, including bulletproof vests and armored fighting vehicles, provides a boost to armor material manufacturers within the country.
In this context, materials science emerges as a pivotal player in conceptualizing defense products and facilitating local sourcing and manufacturing. With nearly 70 years of legacy in the material sciences industry, CUMI is poised to contribute to India’s destiny by actively participating in the development of a robust and self-reliant defense sector. The company’s diverse range of materials encompasses lightweight ceramic ballistic protection for personal and vehicle armor, composites for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), ceramics for missiles and submarines, and cutting-edge materials such as graphene and phase-change materials that drive innovation in defense applications.
Venkatachalam emphasizes that CUMI not only provides indigenous end-to-end integration across its manufacturing and supply chain but has also made substantial investments in research and development (R&D). He further observes,“ In March 2023, we signed a licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (ToT) with DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) Laboratory for technology to manufacture “Ceramic Radomes (GELCAST Process) Technology” used in missile systems. We are ramping up our new-age materials manufacturing capacity to meet the rising demand for materials for defence.”
As India continues its journey toward achieving self-reliance in defense, CUMI expresses enthusiasm about the opportunity to actively contribute to India’s imminent defence growth story. The company is focused to leverage its expertise, technological prowess, and robust manufacturing capabilities to play a vital role in shaping the future of India’s defense landscape.
