Defence ministry wants the private industry to take active part in defence equipment manufacturing

In a first of its kind project, the defence ministry of India has listed out 23 major projects from all the three armed forces, from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs), glide bombs to underwater systems and tank engines. This is being done so that Indian companies can be earmarked under the Make in India category.

The list has recently been drawn up by the ministry in consultation with the three armed forces, and shares details ranging from the requirements in the coming years to the acquisition schedule, and all these things were kept secret earlier. They have found their way out because of defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s upped outreach, who is also in constant touch with industry bodies and major companies indulged in military manufacturing.

The projects that have been listed out include 125mm smooth bore gun barrel for battle tanks, targets for torpedo firing, advance pilot-less target aircraft, mine layers and diesel engines for naval boats. Other than listing out technical specifications of the equipment, the defence ministry has also specified their quantities so that it is easier for the industry to plan how much they should invest in the technology.

To state an example, the Indian Air Force has mentioned that it requires long-range glide bombs, thousand per year, and that too at at the earliest. Similarly, the Indian Army has specified that it wants to annually acquire five pilot-less target aircraft in the coming two to three years.

"Interested Indian companies are requested to carry out preliminary assessment regarding their technical capability to undertake these projects and economic viability of the project," a ministry of defence concept note reads.

The project is being led by the department of defence production, and is attracting companies under the Make in India initiative. It has also said that it plans to hold an "interaction seminar shortly with interested companies so as to finalize the list and progress the proposals further".

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