MoD Okays Indigenous Defence Equipment

Called the Strategic Partnership model, the policy was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on May 21, 2017. The meeting by the DAC was chaired by the Defence Minister Arun Jaitley. Helicopters, single-engine fighters, submarines, main battle tanks and armoured fighting vehicles could soon be made in India by companies in the private sector in collaboration with foreign manufacturers under the new policy. The policy will enable Indian firms in the private sector develop the defence industrial ecosystem in the country. However, the MoD has put stipulations that to manufacture major defence platforms will require tie-ups with foreign companies for manufacturing, transfer of technology, human resource development and other support.