By: Ganesh Raj
Driven by the goal to reach self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign equipment, India has launched a the "Make in India" initiative to promote and encourage domestic defense production. This initiative will address a national desire for economic and strategic autonomy and would save foreign exchange.
The government previously created defense production capabilities in the form of ordnance factories and public sector undertakings to cater to the requirements of India's armed forces. Now there is a need to enlarge the role of the Indian private sector as well as develop capabilities and capacities for the production of military equipment.
Over the last 70 years, India has created a robust industrial base with the aim of transforming the country from a net importer to a net exporter of defense equipment in the coming years through its Make in India campaign.
This year, the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP-2016) was launched to boost this new initiative, and a new category was introduced under the indigenously designed, developed and manufactured (IDDM) provisions, which will encourage the defense industry here.
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