MoD Should Mention "Pragmatic Requirements" in RFPs: Indian Minister

The Ministry Of Defense (MoD) should mention "pragmatic requirements" as part of its request for proposals (RFPs) to industries so they can provide quick and easily deliverable solutions, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said at a seminar on 'Outsourcing and Vendor Development by DPSU's and OF's:" in Delhi today.

The seminar was organized by FICCI jointly with the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Manohar Parrikar said that it would be in the interest of India’s security, if defence capabilities are scaled up and requirements of the armed forces are met in-house. MoD is the single buyer and has all the control, however it needs to stop frequent  shifting of goal posts and give pragmatic requirements which industry will be able to provide quickly.

Asking of something which is not pragmatic and not readily available will never help, rather will make things complicated leading to a situation where the nation suffers.

The minister also emphasized for fair protection for private sector and avoid repeat of past kneejerk reaction on irrational Blacklisting without any tangible benefit. “ In past there were examples where the Blacklisted company benefitted while it proved dear to Indian exchequer as we had paid money but not received the product.” Parrikar added.

There was a need for a paradigm shift in the mindset of the Ministry of Defence and to create an environment of 'Mutual Trust' with the Industry, he said.

The defence procurement procedure was amended to allow greater participation of domestic companies. India needed self-reliance in design and production of defence equipment to strengthen its military capabilities, Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Secretary (DP), Ministry of Defence, said.