Big boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat: Rajnath Singh clears indigenisation of 780 defence items

New Delhi, Aug 29: In a significant development in self-reliance and to minimise imports by state-owned firms in the defence sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved indigenisation of 780 strategically important line replacement units, sub-systems and components.

 

This will come under a phased import ban between December 2023 and December 2028 with the latest indigenisation push covering items used in fighter planes, trainer aircraft, helicopters, submarines and tanks.

 

The Ministry of Defence said, "In continuous pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and to minimise imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the third Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 780 strategically important Line Replacement Units (LRUs)/Sub-systems/Components with a timeline beyond which they will only be procured from the domestic industry."

 

"They will only be procured from Indian Industry after the timelines indicated in the list," it said.

 

 

This is in continuation to the two indigenisation lists that were published in December 2021 and March 2022 which contain 2,500 items which are already indigenised and 458 items which will be indigenised within the given timelines, said the statement. Out of 458, 167 items (1st PIL -163, 2nd PIL - 4) have been indigenised, so far, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

 

 

Indigenisation of these items will be taken up through different routes under ‘Make’ category. ‘Make’ category aims to achieve self-reliance by involving greater participation of the Indian industry. Projects involving design and development of equipment, systems, major platforms or upgrades thereof by the industry can be taken up under this category.

 

It said that the indigenous development of these LRUs, Sub-systems and components will bolster the economy and reduce the import dependence of DPSUs. In addition, it will help to harness the design capabilities of the domestic defence industry and position India as a design leader in these technologies.

 

 

The DPSUs will soon float Expression of Interest (EoIs), and Request for Proposal (RFPs) and the industry may come forward to participate in a large number. Earlier in March, the Ministry of Defence approved a list of 107 strategically important Line Replacement Units with a timeline beyond which there will be an embargo on their import.

 

Projects involving the design and development of equipment, systems, major platforms or upgrades thereof by the industry can be taken up under this category. These indigenised LRUs will reduce the import dependence of the DPSUs and bolster the economy. This will allow the Indian Industry to enter the supply chains of manufacturing major defence platforms.

 

In addition, it will help harness the design capabilities of the domestic defence industry and position India as a design leader in these technologies. This list is in continuation to the Positive Indigenisation List of 2,851 sub-systems/Assemblies/Sub-Assemblies/Components which had been earlier notified by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence on December 27, 2021.