Centre To Shelve Several Defence Import Projects To Promote ‘Make In India’

the procurement of Indian Developed Designed and Manufactured (IDDM) items would now take precedence, official sources told ANI.

File Photo: PMO

New Delhi: In order to make a strong push towards Aatma Nirbhar Bharat in the military sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will postpone a number of defence import projects that were obtained under the Buy (Global) method.

This government move comes at a time when the Centre is preparing the new Defence Manufacturing and Export Promotion Policy, which will spell out the path forward for expanding defence production within the nation and assisting in export to friendly foreign countries.

According to official sources cited by news agency ANI, a high-level meeting of the Defence Ministry will take place virtually on Wednesday in which all import projects under the Buy (Global) category will be assessed and are likely to be cancelled or placed on hold by the government.

The Buy Global category indicates that the defence forces can completely import the goods from overseas suppliers. 

According to ANI sources, the procurement of Indian Developed Designed and Manufactured (IDDM) items would now take precedence.

They said the main drive for 'Make in India' would ensure that contracts worth several thousand crores are awarded to Indian manufacturers. 

The decision would have an influence on a vast number of programmes in the Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army, including some that are in an advanced stage, such as the Indian Navy's Kamov helicopter procurement project.

The initiative follows Prime Minister Modi's review meeting with Defence Ministry officials, including then-Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, during which it was determined that strong measures would be required to ensure that the country moves firmly toward Aatma Nirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.

“All stakeholders may take an in-principle call that no import of defence items is going forward,” an Additional Secretary-rank officer of the Defence Ministry noted to the three Services said, as quoted by ANI. 

“All capital and revenue procurement proposed or currently underway to be critically reviewed. This review is to be completed by January 15,” the officer said.

(With ANI Inputs)