The government move to provide private sector a bigger role in defence manufacturing has taken a firm step towards fruition, with the Defence Acquisition Council on Saturday approving the broad contours of it.
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The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, on Saturday approved the “broad contours of a policy aimed at engaging the private sector in the manufacture of high-tech defence equipment in India,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
Four platforms
Under the Strategic Partnership plan, the DAC has approved four platforms in which the private sector will play a key role in the first stage: fighter aircraft, submarines, armoured vehicles and helicopters.
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“The policy is aimed at developing the defence industrial eco-system in the country via the involvement of both the major Indian corporates as well as the MSME sector,” the statement said.
The policy aims to establishment of “long-term strategic partnerships with qualified Indian industry majors through a transparent and competitive process wherein the Indian industry partners would tie up with global OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) to see technology transfers and manufacturing know-how to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains”.
Self-reliance
The MOD said the policy will give a boost to the ‘Make in India policy in the defence sector and “set Indian industry on the path to acquiring cutting-edge capabilities which will contribute to the building of self-reliance in the vital sector of national security requirements.”