'Make-In-India': Defence Ministry Releases Fourth Positive Indigenisation List To Reduce Dependence On Foreign Weapon Suppliers

In pursuit of atmanirbharta in defence, the Ministry of Defence has approved a "positive-indigenisation list" (PIL) of 928 items which will reduce imports worth Rs 715 crore.

The list ranges from line replacement units (LRUs) and subsystems to components, high-end materials, and spares.

These 928 items have import timelines varying from December 2024 to December 2029, beyond which these items cannot be imported.

This is the fourth list of defence items released by the ministry following the earlier three lists released in December 2021, March 2022 and August 2022. Notably, this list is the largest among all the lists released so far.

According to the statement released by the ministry, in total, these four lists contain more than 2,500 items that are already indigenised and another 1,238 that will be indigenised. About 310 items (1st PIL - 262, 2nd PIL - 11, 3rd PIL - 37) from the 1,238 items are indigenised as well.

The fourth list includes several critical components such as the digital map generator for Sukhoi-30 MKI, voyage data recorder for naval ships, flexible fuel tanks for light combat helicopter (LCH), HTT-40 multifunction display, gearbox, tyres and valves.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has contributed the largest number of items on the list. Additionally, the list comprises raw materials and low-value critical spare components.

"The DPSUs will undertake indigenisation of these items through different routes under ‘Make’ category and in-house development through the capabilities of MSMEs and private Indian industry, thereby providing impetus to the growth in economy, enhanced investment in defence and reduction in import dependence of DPSUs," the ministry statement said.

It further added, "this will augment the design capabilities of the domestic defence industry by involving academia and research institutions".

This list is a part of the government of India policy to promote indigenisation and atmanirbharta in defence (self-reliant India). This PIL will help increase the sourcing of components, sub-systems of defence equipments from Indian vendors.

It will also help India to reduce dependency of foreign weapons suppliers in the case of a war. The government has also set a target to export more than $5 billion worth of weapons to foreign countries.