New Delhi, Apr 7: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the third positive indigenisation list of 101 items, comprising major equipment and platforms. The list lays special focus on equipment and systems, which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders in next five years.
The weapons and platforms mentioned in the list released by the Defence Ministry today, are planned to be indigenized progressively with effect from Dec 2022 to Dec 2027. According to the Defence ministry these 101 items will, henceforth, be procured from local sources as per provisions of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. Today’s development follows issue of the first list comprising of 101 items and the second list comprising of 108 items, that were promulgated on Aug 21, 2020 and May 31, 2021 respectively.
The third list comprises highly complex Systems, Sensors, Weapons and Ammunitions like Light Weight Tanks, Mounted Arty Gun Systems (155mmX 52Cal), Guided Extended Range (GER) Rocket for PINAKA MLRS, Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH), Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPV), MF STAR (Radar For Ships), Medium Range Anti-Ship Missile (Naval Variant), Advance Light Weight Torpedo (Ship Launch), High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MALE UAV), Anti-Radiation Missiles, Loitering Munitions.
As per reports, import substitution of ammunition which is a recurring requirement has been given special emphasis. The spirit behind issuing these three lists comprising 310 defence equipment, slated to be manufactured locally, reflects the growing confidence of the govt in the capabilities of domestic industry that they can supply equipment of international standards to meet the demand of the Armed Forces.
The DRDO pitched in to strengthen local manufacturing by signing 30 Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements with 25 industries. The Defence Minister handed over the agreements pertaining to 21 technologies developed by 16 DRDO laboratories spread across the country.