The Ministry of Defense has approved large-scale purchase of defence equipment developed and manufactured in India under the Make in India Initiative. The Government has already granted clearance (AoN) for the purchase of weapons worth Rs.70,500 crore.
This will assist private public sector enterprises in the country’s defence construction industry. The Defense department Acquisition Council, led by Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, has taken the first concrete step towards procurement (AoN). After that, the Ministry of Defense will launch the official tender procedure.
The Ministry of Defense has authorised the Armed Forces’ bids to acquire different equipment, including indigenously built BrahMos cruise missiles, artillery pieces, helicopters, and long-range defensive weaponry. All purchases would be made by Indian enterprises, the majority of which will be from the public sector.
The Indian Navy’s bids account for more than Rs 56,000 crore out of the overall authorised AoN plans, and they mostly contain indigenous BrahMos missiles, Shakti electronic warfare (EW) systems, and marine utility helicopters. All of these orders will be issued to Public Sector Entities.
Incorporating AoN proposals of Rs 70,500 crore, the total AoN earmarked for capital purchase in FY 2022-23 is more than Rs 2.71 lakh crore, with Indian businesses receiving 99% of procurement under Made in India. The acquisition of a 155 mm/52 calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATGS) for the Indian Army was also authorised by the ministry. Initially, 310 indigenous ATGS weapons made by Tata and Bharat Forge would be purchased.
The Army fully tested the Towed Artillery Gun System in diverse terrains ranging from desert areas to high altitude ranges in Sikkim and certified it fit for induction. The government also approved the construction of a medium-speed marine diesel engine in India, the country’s first move towards self-sufficiency.
