BOOSTING DEFENCE
   Date :05-Mar-2022

BOOSTING DEFENCE
 
 
GRANT of in-principle approval for projects under the Make in India initiative to the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) is a logical step towards indigenisation of the defence industry. The policy is in accordance with the aim of the Government to cut down on import of defence equipment and shore up the domestic industries in defence manufacturing. The Government granted approval to nine projects, five out of which will be industry funded. Involvement of private players in development of big ticket platforms like communication equipment laced with Indian Security Protocols and also light tanks is an indicator of the Government’s willingness to bring multiple hands on the board. The Make in India initiative has to be a mix of Government and private industry for ease of business and equal sharing of responsibilities. Domestic defence manufacturing industry needed a booster dose in the form of such projects. Given the current security scenario as regards the two hostile neighbours, China and Pakistan, bigger incentives for defence industry under the Make in India would help the Government tide over the problem of fulfilling immediate needs of our Armed Forces.