The Department of Defense Production of the Defense Ministry has taken a big step towards promoting self-reliance in the defense sector. The sixth positive indigenization list has been released under the Production Department of the Defense Ministry. 405 important defense honors have been included in this list. Emphasis is being laid on producing these goods in India itself. All the things included in this list will now be purchased from Indian companies instead of importing them from foreign countries. According to the government, this is likely to generate a business of around Rs 3,070 crore.
This list includes radars, spare parts, equipment, parts of small and big machines and raw materials used in the army and other security forces. These include 16 items belonging to the Indian Coast Guard and 389 items belonging to government companies in the defense sector. The purpose of this list is to produce these parts and equipment in the country itself. Of the 405 items included in this list, 16 belong to the Indian Coast Guard and 389 belong to defense sector government companies (PSUs).
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What is positive indigenization list?
Positive Indigenization List is a list which contains the names of those defense items which India now insists on manufacturing in the country instead of buying from abroad. Apart from weapons, this includes tanks, aircraft, missiles, their spare parts and other necessary equipment. Its objective is to reduce dependence on foreign countries and to promote companies manufacturing defense goods in India.
What is included in the sixth list?
The new list includes many important equipment used in the defense sector. These include items related to radar, sonar, fire control system and satellite communication system. These devices are used to monitor enemy movements, identify targets, control weapons and military communications. Apart from this, items related to many major missile systems have also been included in the list. These include missile systems like Konkers-M, Invar and MRSAM. At the same time, efforts will also be made to make high explosive anti-tank ammunition in our own country.
Many platforms used in airspace are also part of this list. These include Advanced Light Helicopter, Light Utility Helicopter, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Light Combat Aircraft and AL-31FP engine related items. Indigenous spare parts will also be promoted for military platforms used on the ground.
Efforts to reduce dependence on imports
Equipment related to radar, sonar, fire control systems and satellite communication systems used in the defense sector are also part of this list. Apart from this, anti-tank ammunition and other important defense equipment have also been included in the list to be made in India. The government says that this step will reduce dependence on import of defense equipment and will promote companies manufacturing defense goods in the country. This will also create new business opportunities for Indian companies and strengthen self-reliance in the defense sector.
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Who will get the benefit?
The domestic defense industry is expected to get the biggest benefit from the Positive Indigenization List. For the items which are included in the list, procurement from Indian industry is encouraged after the stipulated time. This creates a market for private companies, government defense undertakings, small and medium industries and new enterprises working in the defense sector. According to Defense Ministry data, defense production in the country has steadily increased due to previous indigenization initiatives. India's defense production had reached a record Rs 1.26 lakh crore in the financial year 2023-24. After 405 items included in this sixth positive indigenization list, India's self-reliance in the defense sector will further increase.