“Make in India” push in defence starts yielding positive results

A push to “Make in India” policy in defence procurements by Manohar Parrikar has started showing results after he left as the defence minister to take back the reigns of Goa as its chief minister. Purchase of 32 helicopters to boost the marine security capabilities of the Navy and Coast Guard and the Army identifying 25 Indian companies to supply the ammunition that were hitherto imported are two latest results of the policy pursued vigorously.

A draft proposal left behind by Parrikar for buying ALH Dhruv helicopters worth Rs 8,000 crore from the government-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been now cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Modi. Sixteen of these choppers will go to Navy and the remaining 16 to the Coast Guard. The HAL would not only provide the helicopters but it will also develop the infrastructure for operation of these helicopters in both the services.