Modi govt scraps imports of missile, chopper tenders worth over Rs 50,000 cr to boost Make in India
The Defence Ministry has called off or shelved a number of deals and is mulling to sign them in favour of Indian developers.
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New Delhi, Jan 15: With an aim to fulfill the vision of the Modi government's 'Make in India' initiative, the Defence Ministry decided to withdraw tenders related to the import of short-range surface-to-air missiles, and 14 helicopters. The Centre has started reviewing the import deals that fall under the 'Buy Global' category, which are fully acquired from foreign vendors.
This is also in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat move of the central government. The Ministry has called off or shelved a number of deals and is mulling to sign them in favour of Indian developers.
The import deals that have been closed or deferred include the Very Short Range Air Defence Systems, towed artillery guns, vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, shipborne unmanned aerial systems, additional P-8I surveillance aircraft along with the MiG-29 combat aircraft.
Besides this, the government has also cancelled the deal for acquiring General Purpose Machine Guns and a missile deal is also going to be scrutinised. The multi-billion-dollar Kamov-226 helicopter deal with Russia, as well as the Kamov-31 shipborne choppers and Klub class anti-ship missiles, are likely to be scrapped.
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On the other hand, the Ministry, however, allowed the forces to go ahead with a deal to buy air-to-ground missiles from France and overhaul Russian helicopters.
The initiative came after PM Modi took a review meeting with the Defence Ministry officials, including the then Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, where it was felt that strong measures would have to be taken to ensure that the country moves firmly towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.
The Prime Minister has been personally reviewing the progress of Make in India initiative in the defence sector and has from time to time asked officials in both services and the Defence Ministry to ensure that more steps are taken to promote Make in India in the defence sector.