TS Darbari Explains How ‘Make in India’ in ‘Aerospace and Defence’ Can Become Successful
TS Darbari says that almost 60% of defense-related requirements of India are currently met through imports. The ‘Make in India’ initiative by the Government is focusing its efforts on increasing indigenous defence manufacturing and becoming self-reliant. TS Darbari further adds that simplification in the administration of offsets, incentives to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to increase their research and development (R&D) activities and increasing the local aerospace and defence (A&D) ecosystem are some of the measures that will help Make in India.
TS Darbari says that the opening up of the defence sector for private sector participation is helping foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) enter into strategic partnerships with Indian companies and leverage opportunities in the domestic market as well as global markets. However, the government still needs to take a lot of initiatves to create an ecosystem that may support the development and success of the ‘Make in India’ dream of Hon’ble Primeminister of India
Discussing the initiatives and success so far, TS Darbari says that India’s focus on indigenous manufacturing in the defence space is paying off as the Ministry of Defence over the last two years unveiled several products manufactured in India like the HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, the composites Sonar dome, a Portable Telemedicine System (PDF) for Armed Forces, Penetration-cum-Blast (PCB) and Thermobaric (TB) ammunition specifically designed for Arjun tanks, a heavyweight torpedo called Varunastra manufactured with 95% locally sourced parts and medium-range surface to air missiles (MSRAM).
TS Darbari further adds that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the Ministry of Defence, cleared defence deals worth more than INR 82,000 crore under ‘Buy and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Make (Indian)’ and ‘Buy Indian’ category . The deals include the procurement of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), T-90 Tanks, Mini-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) & light combat helicopters.
According to TS Darbari, though we must celebrate these achievements since they are milestones but we must keep on advancing in this direction to make India a manufacturing hub of defence products and for that, there is still a long road to cover.
TS Darbari says that Defence production companies in India would look for taxation and other stimulus relief for airlines, as Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman readies to unveil her third budget. It will help India recover early from the economic shock that has resulted from the covid-19 pandemic. TS Darbari further adds that simplification in the administration of offsets, incentives to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to increase their research and development (R&D) activities, and increasing the local aerospace and defence (A&D) ecosystem are some of the measures that will help Make in India.
TS Darbari also mentions that the signals everyone is looking for are very clear, increased stimulus for the aviation sector, maintaining capital budget commitments for military modernization and defence preparedness, and increased allocations to boost mission-readiness and modernization of the forces.
