Imports of 101 more items to be phased out in self-reliance push
NEW DELHI: In a renewed push to aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence, India on Thursday published a new list of 101 weapons and systems that will come under a phased import ban over the next five years, with the military hardware sought to be developed locally ranging from light weight tanks, naval utility helicopters and mounted artillery gun systems to medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles and so-called loitering munitions.
Releasing the third ‘positive indigenisation list,’ defence minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the pitfalls of operating imported weapons and systems whose software codes could be compromised and prove to be dangerous for the country’s security apparatus as it would open a “window of vulnerability.”
The list has come out at a time when complications stemming from the wide-ranging sanctions slapped on Russia by the US and its allies on the back of the war in Ukraine have posed new challenges for the India-russia defence relationship, put India’s military preparedness to the test and assigned new urgency to reduce dependence on imported military hardware to stay battleready.
Russia accounted for 46% of the country’s imports during the last five years even though India made fewer purchases from that country over the last decade. Its weapons exports to India fell 47% between 2012-16 and 2017-21, according to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) last month. Twoopportunities
thirds of Indian military equipment is of Soviet/russian origin.
“Anyone can now break into the security system of a country with the help of different communication methods. No matter how strong the system is, if it is linked to another country, there is a possibility of a security breach. Newer defence systems and platforms are electronic and software intensive. They can be controlled or subverted from anywhere,” Singh said, making a pitch for indigenisation of complex weapons and systems.
The other military systems and platforms included in the third list are long range beyondvisual-range missiles that can hit targets at 250 km, long range guided bombs, medium range anti-ship missiles (ship
launched), submarine-launched cruise missiles (anti-ship), long range reconnaissance and observation systems (Lorros), high endurance autonomous underwater vehicles, weapon locating radars, next generation offshore patrol vessels, anti-radiation missiles, counter-drone systems, rockets, torpedoes and other ammunition.
These weapons and platforms will be indigenised in phases between December 2022 and December 2027.
This list comes on the back of two similar lists of 101 and 108 weapons and systems released in August 2020 and May 2021, respectively. The new list has taken the combined number of weapons and systems under a phased import ban by India to
310.
Import substitution of ammunition, which is a recurring requirement, has been given special emphasis, said Lieutenant General Anil Puri, additional secretary, department of military affairs. The defence minister said that domestic production of ammunition was critical as it ensured uninterrupted supply during war, adding that full attention was paid to self-reliance in ammunition in the first two lists as well.
Singh said self-reliance did not mean working in isolation from the world, but to work with the active participation of global partners within the country.
“Even under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, we have provisions which provide suitable
and environment to foreign companies to invest, collaborate, set up joint ventures and earn profit,” he said, adding that the government was focused on creating an environment where public sector, private sector and foreign entities can work together and help India become one of the world’s leading countries in defence manufacturing.
The domestic industry is likely to receive orders worth ₹2,10,000 crore in the next five years as a result of the third list, officials said.
“The third ‘positive indigenisation list’ comes at a strategically important time. Given the current geopolitical scenario, the importance of being self-reliant in defence production is more apparent than ever and the industry is well poised to manufacture the 101 items indigenously and enhance the operational readiness of our forces,” said Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) president SP Shukla.
The defence minister said India would soon transform into a global defence manufacturing hub that catered to domestic requirements, besides being a dominant force in international market. He described the three lists as a “self-imposed vow” that can pave the way for “a strong and self-reliant New India.”
Since the notification of the first and second lists, contracts for 31 projects worth ₹53,839 crore have been signed by the armed forces, the officials said. Also, acceptance of necessity (AON) for 83 projects worth ₹1,77,258 crore has been accorded, and cases worth ₹2,93,741 crore will be taken up in the next five to seven years, they added.