106 contracts signed under defence 'Make In India': Government

The government on Wednesday said 106 contracts were signed in the last three and half years with local vendors for procurement of defence equipment amid mounting critcism that not even one big project could take off in what was billed as one of the cornerstones of the 'Make in India initiative.

The contracts have been signed for the purchase of helicopters, radars, ballistic helmets, artillery guns, simulators, missiles, bullet proof jackets, electronic fuzes and ammunition, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

He said the government also carried out the capital procurement of defence equipment as per the extant Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)- 2016.

It "focuses on institutionalizing, streamlining and simplifying defence procurement procedure to give a boost to the 'Make in India' initiative by promoting indigenous design, development and manufacturing of defence equipment, platforms, systems and sub-systems."

He said the Defence Ministry was committed to DPP-2016 and was taking all steps necessary to realize its objectives.

He said the government has also promulgated the policy of Strategic Partnership in the defence sector which encourages participation of the private sector in manufacture of major defence platforms and equipment in four selected segments - submarines, fighter aircraft, helicopters and armoured fighting vehicles and tanks.

However, with less than a year left in the five-year tenure of the Modi government, the defence ministry is yet to award any major contract to private players for manufacturing fighter jets, submarines and tanks.

--IANS

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