India expands negative list for defence imports with 108 new items

(Eds: Update with additional inputs)

New Delhi, May 31 (PTTI) In a strong push for defense indigenization, India on Monday approved restrictions on the import of an additional 108 military weapons and systems such as next-generation corvettes, early air warning systems, tank engines and distributed timeline radars. for four and a half years.

The first negative list for defense imports, consisting of 101 items, including towed artillery, short-range surface-to-air missiles, cruise missiles and offshore patrol vessels, was issued last August.

Restrictions on the import of 108 items on the second list will gradually take effect between December 2021 and December 2025, officials said.

Describing it as a “second positive list for local segregation”, the defense ministry said it was notified after receiving approval from Defense Minister Rajnat Singh.

“The second positive localization list includes sophisticated systems, sensors, simulators, weapons and ammunition such as helicopters, next-generation corvettes, early warning and air control systems, tank engines, medium-power mountain radar, MRSAM weapon systems and much more. such items meet the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces, “it said.

According to a government document, restrictions on the import of 49 items, including next-generation corvettes, some variants of single-engine helicopters, a wheeled armored platform, a border surveillance system and an armored engineering ship, will take effect in December 2021.

The embargo on the other 21 items will be applicable from December 2022. The items mentioned in the list include an 80 MM tandem warhead, software-defined radio, mechanical equipment for marking a minefield (ground) and a pontoon medium flow connection system.

A separate list of 17 items, such as the Mountain Weapons Radar, Intelligent Air Weapons (SAAW) Mk-I and ammunition designated to restrict imports, has been identified since December 2023, while the ban on 13 items will apply from December 2024

The ban on the import of eight other systems and weapons, including the anti-material rifle (AMR) 14.5 MM 1000HP engine for T-72 tanks, will take effect in December 2025, according to the document.

Officials said the second list was drawn up by the Ministry of Defense after several rounds of consultations with public and private defense companies, as well as leading industry bodies such as the Indian Defense Manufacturers Association (SIDM).

“The second positive list of indigenous behavior is further evidence of the government’s and the military’s confidence in the industry to provide cutting-edge defense technology to India’s security requirements,” said SIDM President Giant D. Patil.

He said the list was comprehensive with “really big tickets” to be built in India, and would be a great impetus for making India independent.

The first negative list of defense import items includes towed artillery, short-range surface-to-air missiles, cruise missiles, offshore patrol vessels, e-warfare systems, next-generation missile ships, floating docks and submarine-launched missiles.

“Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts on Atmanirbhar Bharat and on strengthening indigenization in the defense sector, Defense Minister Rajnat Singh approved a proposal by the Ministry of Defense to notify the second positive list of 108 items.” said the defense ministry.

“This will give further impetus to indigenization with the active participation of the public and private sectors to meet the dual goals of gaining independence and promoting defense exports,” it said.

The ministry said all 108 items would be delivered from local sources under the provisions of the Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.

“The second list places special emphasis on weapons / systems that are currently under development / testing and are likely to become solid orders in the future. Like the first list, the replacement of ammunition imports, which is a recurring requirement, is paid special attention, “said a statement from the Ministry of Defense.

“The list not only recognizes the potential of the local defense industry, but will also boost domestic research and development by attracting new investment in technology and manufacturing capabilities,” it said.

In the last few years, the government has taken a series of measures to stimulate the domestic defense industry.

On August 9 last year, Singh announced that by 2024, India would suspend imports of 101 weapons and military platforms such as transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines, cruise missiles and sonar systems.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Defense published the first list of items with a detailed schedule, which will not be allowed for import.

The new policy for assigning defense ministries envisages a turnover of 1.75 crowns ($ 25 billion) in defense production by 2025.

India is one of the most lucrative markets for global defense giants. The country is among the few best importers of military hardware in the world in the last eight to ten years.

The Indian Armed Forces is estimated to spend about $ 130 billion on capital orders over the next five years.

“The defense industry can use this golden opportunity to build stable research and development facilities, capacities and capabilities to meet the futuristic requirements of the armed forces,” the ministry said.

“This list also provides an excellent opportunity for start-ups, as well as SMEs, which will receive a huge boost from this initiative,” it said.

It says the ministry, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the service center will take all necessary steps, including holding the industry by hand, to ensure compliance with the deadlines set out in the new list. PTI MPB RT RT


Disclaimer: – This story is not edited by Outlook employees and is automatically generated by news agency feeds. Source: PTI


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