India speeds up self-reliance in defence manufacturing by banning import of 780 sub-systems

To speed up self-reliance in defence manufacturing and to shore up local production in a time-bound manner, the Government on Sunday has put a ban on the import of 780 sub-systems and components for the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUS).  This is the third such list in the last two years that has come up and is in continuation to the two PILs that were published in December 2021 and March 2022.

The production of these sub-systems, which are used in the manufacturing of weapons and allied equipment, will positively help the economy. Giving details of the latest list, defence ministry officials said that the Government has set specific timelines for import ban of the items, spanning a period from December 2023 to December 2028.

Stressing on minimizing imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the third Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 780 strategically important Line Replacement Units (LRUs) and subsystems. 

The three lists contain 2,500 items that are already indigenized and 458 (351+107) items which will be indigenized within the given timelines. Out of 458, 167 items (1st PIL -163, 2nd PIL - 4) have been indigenized, so far.

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

The DPSUs will soon float tenders and industry may come forward to participate in large numbers, they added.

In the last few years, the government has taken a series of measures to promote domestic defence production. India happens to be one of the largest importers of arms globally.

According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion (one billion is equal to Rs 100 crore) in capital procurement over the next five years. But now it wants to reduce dependence on imported military platforms and has decided to support domestic defence manufacturing. The defence ministry has set a goal of a turnover of USD 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years which includes an export target of USD 5 billion worth of military hardware.

The Indian Navy, in a related development, on Saturday achieved yet another milestone in its mission to achieve AatmaNirbharta by inducting the first ever 100% indigenous 30mm HE gun ammunition for the services by the private industry.

The Economic Explosives Ltd., Nagpur, a Solar Group Company has manufactured the ammunition, and Managing Director Satyanarayan Nuwal of the company handed over the first consignment to Vice Chief of Navy Vice Admiral SN Ghormade.