Defence Ministry Clears Key ‘Strategic Partnership Model’ Policy To Boost Indigenous Defence Manufacturing

Chaired by the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared a key policy which intends to increase local manufacturing of defence equipments, The Tribune has reported.

The ministry has approved the guidelines for the functioning of ‘Strategic Partnership Model’ policy, where foreign manufacturers can collaborate with Indian companies to produce the equipments in India. The guidelines were made a part of defence procurement procedure (DPP) which provides a framework for defence manufacturing in India.

The guidelines provide incentives to foreign companies which agree upon advanced technology transfers. The policy also provides for special committees for executing the partnerships. “In an endeavour to convert policy into implementable directions and to kick-start the process, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) also approved platform-specific guidelines for procurement of naval utility helicopters,” a defence ministry release is quoted to have said.

DAC has also approved purchase of eight fast patrol vessels worth approximately Rs 800 crore under the ‘Buy lndian – lndian Designed Developed and Manufactured’ category.

“These vessels will be indigenously designed and manufactured and would strengthen maritime security by undertaking day/night patrolling and policing of (India’s maritime zones),” the ministry has said.