Towards a new small arms production policy
It is shocking that it has taken the Indian establishment decades to realize that by being forced to import 65 per cent if its military requirement it can be strategically choked by foreign powers at any time. The Narendra Modi government’s decision to involve the private sector to produce cutting-edge weapon systems in collaboration with armament majors abroad through joint ventures is a worthy move which should have come years ago. The Modi government deserves kudos for it. The strategic partnership policy of the Modi government under its ‘Make in India’ thrust will initially open up four major segments –fighter jets, helicopters, submarines and armoured vehicles for private sector players. This would be a first major step towards building a robust defence-industrial base. The momentous decision of the government for a shift in policy marks a realization that the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), five defence public sector undertakings, four shipyards and 41 factories have failed to deliver as per expectations, to the detriment of the country. We cannot wait for them to deliver indefinitely.
India’s first private sector small arms manufacturing plant was recently inaugurated in Malanpur town of Madhya Pradesh which will supply world class weapons to the armed forces in sync with the country’s defence indigenisation programme. The plant, a joint venture between India’s Punj Lloyd and Israel Weapon Systems, will produce four products — X95 carbine and assault rifle, Galil sniper rifle, Tavor assault rifle and Negev Light Machine Gun (LMG). With Modi slated to go to Israel next month on a State visit. Head of Israel Ministry of Defence Michel Ben-Baruch has said that his country will continue to support transfer of technology to India for defence production. Many Indo-Israeli deals are on the anvil as part of the new thrust towards ‘Make in India.’
These collaborative ventures with the motivation of import substitution would evidently go a long way in replaced imported small arms with indigenous ones in due course. One such project that is expected to yield results in the long run is the induction of three squadrons of helicopters for its three ‘strike corps.’ Surely, the enhanced manufacture of small arms in India would be a step forward. A major challenge for the NDA government would be to keep corruption out of it. Transparency in defence deals would indeed be the key. But in principle, the move is a major plus for India.