New Delhi, Feb 25 (Bureau) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday assured the defence manufacturing industries that the government will continue its pro-industry policies for greater indigenization in the defence sector. He was addressing the valedictory session of a post Budget webinar of Defence Ministry on ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence – Call to Action’. “I am sure that the domestic industry is fully capable to absorb the enhanced budget,” he said.
“I assure the industries that the government will continue its pro-industry policy initiatives for promoting Make in India with greater zeal. “The government’s commitment towards reduction in imports and modernise our armed forces with our indigenous technology has been given further impetus in this budget,” he said. He said the government has been progressively increasing the capital procurement budget for the domestic industry, with 68 per cent of the capital procurement budget earmarked for 2022-23. “For promoting Industry-led R&D efforts, I would sanction at least five projects under Make-1 during 2022-23,” he said. The Minister said the government would create a monitoring mechanism with representatives from all the three services to monitor the budget earmarked, specifically for private industry and startups, so that it is fully utilised. “We would reform the question answer process, so that it is non-intrusive, prevention-based and free from the Inspector Raj. “We would come up with the IDEX-Prime to support projects, requiring support beyond Rs 1.5 crore up to Rs 10 crore which would help our ever growing startups in the Defence sector.”
He said that the potential growth of Indian Defence Industry and opening up of Defence Research and Development for the private industry, startups and academia warrants adequate facilities and infrastructure for testing, trial and certification of indigenous products. The Minister expressed confidence that in the near future “We will see many projects being undertaken by the Private industry for Design and Development of military platforms and equipment in collaboration with DRDO and other organisations through SPV model.”