New Delhi: In line with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, the government on April 7 has notified a list of items that will be produced indigenously and further increase the procurement of indigenous military platforms for the Indian armed forces from the current USD 10 billion to USD 20 billion by 2025 and also assist in meeting the export target of USD 5 billion. The Ministry of Defence on April 6 in an official statement indicated that orders more than Rs 2, 10,000 crore are expected to be placed on the industry over the next five years.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the launch of the Third Positive Indigenisation List said, “It is our endeavour to make India self-reliant in the defence sector, build the capabilities and ecosystems needed for defence exports in times to come.” He said, “Today, it gives me great pleasure to release the third positive indigenisation list of 101 defence equipment and platforms to the nation. The release of this list shows the fast pace of our self-reliance in the defence sector.”

In the 90s, India was denied super computers by countries who cited various reasons for the refusal. After that, “Our researchers, engineers, and scientists, of The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune established their own supercomputer.”

The defence minister also talked about the denial of access to knowledge of rocket science and space technology, however with the efforts of the rocket scientists in the country; India has become one of the leading countries in missile technology and space. According to the minister, a contract of Rs 54,000 crore has been made so far and in the next 5-7 years, an order of Rs 4.5 lakh crore is expected to be given based on the first and the second indigenisation lists.

The systems and equipment in the list notified today would be manufactured locally for the Indian Armed Forces and will help in making India a defence manufacturing hub, said Rajnath Singh. Adding, “The third list released today builds on the 101 items in the first one and 108 items in the second, which were promulgated in 2020 and 2021 respectively.”

The new list has complex systems and platforms including: Rockets, Naval Utility Helicopters, Patrol vessels for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, Sensors, Weapons and ammunition, Anti-ship Missile, Anti-radiation missiles, and many more. Many of the complex systems and equipment included in the third list are in the process of being developed and are expected to eventually translate into firm orders from the Indian Armed Forces in the next few years.

The prominent items from the third list include: Mounted Artillery Gun System 155mm/ 52 Cal; 7.62mm x 54 (Sniper) Ammunition; See Through Armour; Light Weight Tanks; 155mm Terminal Guided Munition; Guided Extended Range (GER) Rocket for Pinaka Multiple Launch; Rocket System (MLRS); Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) for MBT Arjun; Portable Helipad; Land Based Tactical Communication System; Next Generation Fast Attack Craft; Next Generation Fast Interceptor Craft; Ship Based Vertical Launched Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL SRSAM); Instrumented Electronic Warfare Range (IEWR); Range extension Kit (REK) for 450 Kg High Speed (HS) Bomb; Anti-Radiation Missile (ARMs) up to 100 Km.

The government has taken a series of measures to promote domestic defence production in the last few years. Welcoming the third list, SP Shukla, President, SIDM said, “Given the current geopolitical scenario, the importance of being self-reliant in defence production is more apparent than ever.”  Adding further, he said that the industry is all set to manufacture the 101 items indigenously and will also enhance the operational readiness of the Indian Armed forces.

Jayant Patil, Immediate Past President, SIDM commented, “The list reaffirms the government’s trust on the capability of the Indian Defence Industry. He said, “The third list will be a shot in the arm to the domestic Defence Industry to realise the Atmanirbhar Vision of Prime Minister Modi. It will help to attain strategic independence in foreign policy- a much desired aim for all Nations in the current global geopolitical situation.”

Thanking the Defence Minister and Ministry of Defence for reposing their trust on the Indian Industry, Baba Kalyani, Founding President, SIDM, said, “The Indian Defence Industry has been galvanised by the path-breaking policy reforms introduced by the Ministry of Defence in recent years. The third list is warmly welcomed by the industry.”