i.This is taken as a part of “Aatmanirbhar-Bharat” to improve self-reliance in defence procurement, enhance India’s defence exports.
ii.The defence items will be allowed for local manufacturing in a phased manner from December 2021 to December 2025.
Key items included to the list – Helicopters, Next Generation Corvettes, Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, Tank Engines, Medium Power Radar for Mountains, MRSAM Weapon Systems.Click here to read the 2nd Positive Indigenisation List.
Note – In August 2020, MoD released the ‘First Positive Indigenisation’ List comprising 101 military items
iii.This will improve Public-Private companies in the defence sector and pave the way for Defence Start-ups and MSMEs in India.
Note – India has set a Defence Exports Target of Rs. 35,000 Crores by 2025.
Indian Defence Exports:
i.India is the 2nd largest Arms importer during the period 2016-20, only behind Saudi Arabia. While India is ranked 23rd in Defence Exports.
ii.India’s defence exports have doubled to nearly Rs. 11,000 crores in 2018-19 from around Rs. 4,700 crores in 2017-18.
Some of India’s Defence Exports- Cheetal helicopters to Afghanistan, Dhruv Helicopters and bulletproof jackets to Nepal, Sukhoi 30 avionics and MIG spare parts to Malaysia, offshore patrol vessels to Mauritius
Recent Related News:
In February 2021, The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of various weapons/equipment worth INR 13,700 Crore for Indian Army, Indian Navy & Indian Air Force.
About Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP):
To improve the self-reliance in Defence procurement, Indian government launched the IGMDP in 1983 with a target to indigenous development of 5 Missile systems
5 Missiles – Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, Nag & Agni
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister – Rajnath Singh (Constituency – Lucknow, UP)
Minister of State (I/C) – Shripad Yesso Naik (Constituency – North Goa, Goa)