IN another step to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, 164 Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) items, with an import substitution value of Rs 814 crore, that were to be indigenised by December 2022, have met the target timeframe, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The components – used in tanks, infantry combat vehicles, missiles, and warships – have been indigenised in a fresh push for self-reliance in defence. This has taken the total number of such items indigenised in the last two-anda-half years to 2,736. The ministry said on May 16, that the target has been achieved by state-run firms either through industry partners, including MSMEs, or in-house.
Import substitution
With the notification of these 164 additional items, the total number of indigenised items till December 2022 from these PILs of DDP stands at 2,736, worth an import substitution value of Rs 2,570 crore. These indigenised items will now be procured from the Indian industry.
The items in the latest list include digital map generator for Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft, voyage data recorder for ships, smart multifunction display for the indigenous HTT-40 aircraft, flexible fuel tanks for the Light Combat Helicopter, gearbox and a variety of valves and tyres, among others.
The ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ is meant to transform the defence sector to achieve self-reliance and boost exports with the active participation of the public and private sectors. PIL is one of the landmark initiatives towards achieving that vision.
Indigenisation lists
The Ministry of Defence had promulgated the ‘First, Second and Third Positive Indigenisation Lists’ on August 21, 2020, May 31, 2021, and April 7, 2022, respectively.
The ‘Fourth Positive Indigenisation List’ of 101 items was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the opening ceremony of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on October 19, 2022.
The fourth list has been prepared by the ministry after several rounds of consultations with the three services and all stakeholders, including the industry. It lays special focus on equipment and systems, which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders in the next five to ten years.
Ammunition focus
Like the first three lists, import substitution of ammunition which is a recurring requirement has been given special focus. This fourth list recognises the growing capacity and capabilities of the Indian defence industry and is likely to stimulate the potential of domestic research and development by attracting fresh investment into technology and manufacturing capabilities.
The items in the fourth list will provide ample visibility and opportunity to the domestic defence industry for understanding the trend and futuristic needs of the armed forces and also create the requisite research and development (R&D) and manufacturing capacity within the country.
The Defence Ministry will facilitate a conducive environment and render support to the industry to ensure that timelines mentioned in the ‘Fourth Positive Indigenisation List’ are met, thereby achieving self-reliance in defence and developing the capabilities for exports within the country in a time-bound manner.
In August last year, the House was informed that expenditure on defence procurement from abroad has reduced to 36 pc in the last four years.
