Homeland security market in India to double by 2018

August 17, 2011 at 4:01 pm | Posted in Additional business, Natgrid, The Market | Comments Off on Homeland security market in India to double by 2018

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Homeland security market in India to double by 2018
Tuesday, June 21, 2011

New Delhi: The homeland security market is expected to expand from 8 billion dollars (about Rs 36,800 crore) now to 13 billion dollars (about Rs 59,800 crore) by 2014 with a significant opportunity for the private sector to participate, security experts and policy makers said today.

By 2018, this market comprising of capital spend from government, private sector and some part of export demand is likely to be worth 16 billion dollars (about Rs 73,600 crore), they said at the 4th edition of INDESEC conference-cum-expo organised by industry body ASSOCHAM and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

“The government and industry should collaborate to upgrade and modernise security systems and communication networks,” said Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

He said India’s homeland security is shaped by internal, regional and global factors. A porous border which needs fencing and the largely-unmanned 7,516 km coastline pose new challenges.

“We have cross-border terrorism in the north, insurgency by various militant groups in northeastern states and the Maoist insurgency throughout central India with varying shades of lethality,” said Mr Naidu. “A combination of internal disturbances presents unprecedented challenges of an all-embracing security framework.”

Chairman of ASSOCHAM’s national defence council P.C. Bhasin said there is a plethora of state security agencies with a minimal ability to coordinate while dealing with these threats in an effective manner.

He said the government is gearing up for a long-term with an organised and targeted development of homeland security focused infrastructure. Vice Admiral (retd) Bhasin referred to the National Information Grid being set up by combining individual databases of several government agencies, and setting up of a crime and criminal tracking networks and systems.

ASSOCHAM secretary general D.S. Rawat said the homeland security sector employs more than 60 lakh workers and the number is projected to double in the next four to five years. He said the industry has already taken note of the potential growth opportunities.

Chairman of INDESEC advisory board D.R. Kaarthikeyan said India, Britain, Germany and France will emerge as the largest players in global homeland security market in the next ten years as opposed to the present situation where the United States continues to be a dominant player with nearly 35 per cent of total procurement.

He called for a holistic expansion of the offset policy under Defence Procurement Procedure to include equipment for the homeland security sector besides improvement in overall governance and delivery systems of public goods and services.

Others present during inaugural session of the three-day exhibition were Mr P. Balaji, vice-president of Ericsson India, Mr Ateeq Rahman Khan, chief executive officer of Biostream Axxonsoft, Mr M.P. Aggarwal, chairman and managing director of Shyam Telecom, Mr S.D. Pradhan, former chairman of the task force on intelligence mechanism at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Ms Nicky Mason, managing director of Informa Exhibitions India.

Over 100 exhibitors from 25 countries are participating in the meet.