106 of 168 Defense Contracts Signed with Indian Vendors in Last Three Years

The Indian defense ministry has signed 106 contract out of total 168 contracts with Indian vendors for the procurement of defense equipment for the Armed Forces in the last three years and upto June this year.

The contracts include Helicopters, Radar, Ballistic Helmets, Artillery Guns, Simulators, Missiles, Bullet Proof Jackets, Electronic Fuzes and ammunition, Dr. Subhash Bhamre, minister of state for defense said in the parliament Monday.

Government is pursuing initiatives to achieve higher levels of indigenization and self-reliance in the defence sector by harnessing the capabilities of the public and private sector industries in the countries.  These measures include according priority and preference to procurement from Indian vendors and liberalization of the licensing regime.  Defense Procurement Policy (DPP) accords the highest priority to Buy Indian (Designed, Developed and Manufactured) (IDDM). 

The ‘Make’ procedure has been simplified with provisions for earmarking projects not exceeding development cost of Rs.10 crores (government funded) and Rs.3 crores (Industry funded) for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and with provisions for involving private industry as production agencies and technology transfer partners.

Government has also promulgated the policy on Strategic Partnership in the Defence Sector to encourage broader participation of the private sector in manufacture of major defence platforms and equipment.