India is making progress “fast and steady” in defense production. Director (DIP), Department of Defence Production, Amit Satija said on Wednesday that 2,920 of the 4,666 named defense items have been made in India so far.
He was speaking at a state-level conclave of Defense MSMEs in Nagpur, which was put together by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The topic was “Enhancing the participation of MSMEs in the Defense sector.”
Satija said that the Ministry of Defense, especially the Department of Defence Production, has taken a number of steps.
“Out of the 4,666 defense items that were on the list to be made in India, 2,920 have already been made,” he said. “These include assemblies, subassemblies, raw materials, critical spares and components, and more.”
Satija talked about the Make-1 and Make-2 categories and said that they have a lot of features that are good for businesses. For example, the eligibility requirements are loosened, there isn’t a lot of paperwork needed, and businesses and people can submit proposals.
“In-principle approval has been given to 102 Army, Navy, and Air Force projects under the Make 2 procedure and 44 projects under the Make-1 category.” “Three Make 3 projects have been given the go-ahead in principle,” he said.
The indigenization goal is being worked on quickly and steadily, he said, adding that 40 to 50 licenses are given out every year for defense production.
“Make-I” projects are paid for by the government, while “Make-II” programs are paid for by businesses. The government made the Make III group so that the country could become self-sufficient by replacing imports.
