(Editor’s Note: Adds SIDM statement on the Second Positive Indigenisation List at Paragraph 16.)
New Delhi: India today announced the addition of 108 defence platforms and equipment to a list of items that are banned from imports, further boosting the Narendra Modi government’s resolve to give preference to domestic suppliers and manufacturers in arms purchases.
The ‘Second Postive Indigenisation List‘, as the latest 108 items that fall under the import ban is called, was proposed by the Department of Military Affairs, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) statement said.
“In pursuance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s endeavor of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and to boost indigenisation in the defence sector, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal of the Department of Military Affairs, to notify the ‘Second Positive Indigenisation List’ of 108 items,” the statement said.
“This will give further boost to indigenisation with active participation of public and private sector for fulfilling the twin objectives of achieving self-reliance and promoting defence exports. All the 108 items will now be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.”
The second list (enclosed above) lays special focus on weapons and systems, which are currently under development or under trials and are likely to translate into firm orders in the future.
Like the first list issued in Aug. 2020, the import substitution of ammunition which is a recurring requirement has been given special focus.
“Not only does the list recognises the potential of local defence industry, it will also invigorate impetus to domestic Research and Development by attracting fresh investment into technology and manufacturing capabilities,” the MoD statement said.
The ‘Second Positive Indigenisation List’ comprises complex systems, sensors, simulator, weapons and ammunition, such as Helicopters, Next Generation Corvettes, Air Borne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, Tank Engines, Medium Power Radar for Mountains, MRSAM Weapon Systems and many more such items to fulfill the requirements of the Indian armed forces.
This second list is planned to be implemented progressively with effect from Dec. 2021 to Dec. 2025.
This second list has been prepared by the MoD after several rounds of consultations with government and private manufacturing industry confederations to assess future capabilities of Indian industry, which will be able to meet requirements of the armed forces. This list provides continuous impetus towards self-reliance in defence, it said.
“The defence industry can gainfully utilise this golden opportunity to build robust Research and Development facilities, capacities and capabilities to meet the futuristic requirements of the armed forces. This list also provides an excellent opportunity for ‘start-ups’ as also MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), which will get tremendous boost from this initiative.”
Towards this, Ministry of Defence, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Service headquarters (SHQs) will take all necessary steps, including hand-holding of the industry, to ensure that the timelines mentioned in the ‘Second Positive Indigenisation List’ are met, thereby facilitating an environment for Indian defence manufacturers to create world class infrastructure, assist in government’s ‘Make in India’ vision to make India self-reliant in defence and develop the capabilities for defence export in the near future.
The Second Positive Indigenisation List will be hosted in the MoD website.
In August 2020, the ‘First Positive Indigenisation List‘ comprising 101 items was notified, in pursuance of government’s endeavor of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ and to boost indigenisation in the defence sector.
At that time, it was also highlighted that more such equipment would be identified progressively to facilitate and encourage defence manufacturing in the country.
SIDM Statement
The Confederation of Indian Industry‘s (CII’s) Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM ) said it was delighted and welcomed the second 108 item positive indigenisation list, which, it said, “is bound to create long-term business opportunities for the industry, across the broad spectrum of military capabilities.”
“It will enable fresh investments into defence technologies and manufacturing capacities. Initial appreciation is that the List is exhaustive,” SIDM said in a statement late in the evening.
“The list creates long term business opportunities that will enable the industry to invest and build capacity and capability. The industry is motivated and stands highly encouraged with the second positive list.”
“We, at SIDM, eagerly look forward to MoD’s plans to engage with the industry and convert the components of the indigenisation list into concrete projects and orders for the Indian industry.”
Commenting on the MoD statement, SIDM president Jayant D. Patil said, the second positive indigenisation list is another testament of the confidence placed by the government and the armed forces on the industry to deliver cutting-edge defence technology for India’s security requirements. The list is comprehensive with truly big-
ticket items that will be built in India and a great boost to making India ‘Atmanirbhar’.”
SIDM vice president S. P. Shukla said, “the promulgation of the second positive indigenisation list brings together a range of systems, sub-systems and platforms, which collectively strengthen the foundation for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.” He added, “this further strengthens the Industry’s role in developing defence equipment as per the requirement of the forces.”
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