NEW DELHI: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the fifth positive indigenisation list of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) during the plenary session of ‘Swavlamban 2.0,’ a two-day seminar of the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) here in the national capital on Wednesday.
In the event, the Defence Minister released the fifth Positive Indigenisation List of DMA comprising 98 items. Highly complex systems, sensors, weapons and ammunition have been included in the list. All these items will be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 in a staggered timeline.
He also launched 76 challenges for the industry under the 10th Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 10) and DISC 10 PRIME of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and five problem statements under iDEX for Fauji. In addition, two INDUS X challenges under ‘INDUS-X Mutual Promotion of Advanced Collaborative Technologies’ (IMPACT) challenges jointly finalised by iDEX and the United States Department of Defense (US DoD) were launched by the Defence Minister.
He also released the Indian Navy’s updated Indigenisation Roadmap ‘Swavlamban 2.0’. A special interactive session for the industry to explain the nuances of the roadmap is planned on Day 2 of the seminar.
While addressing Defence officers and innovators, he appreciated the fact that the SPRINT innovative challenge, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the maiden Swavlamban seminar in 2022 to promote the use of indigenous technology and products in the Navy, has helped in taking the country forward in becoming self-reliant in the defence sector.
He credited the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership for driving the country ahead in mission mode free from doubt and full of confidence. India’s defence sector is currently riding on the boat of innovation, he said, lauding iDEX for providing the youth with a platform to innovate and develop new products, which not only ensures the progress of the start-ups but also strengthens the country’s defence ecosystem.
“India has always been self-reliant in the field of knowledge and innovation and when the present Government came to power in 2014, it re-kindled the feeling of being ‘Aatmanirbhar’ in every sector,” Rajnath Singh said.
“Due to foreign invasions, we had forgotten our innovative approach. The word ‘local’ became synonymous with low quality. We’re now freeing ourselves from that mentality. Our Prime Minister launched the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and restored respect for local goods.
Our youth are now recognising their inner strength and eliminating inner doubts. In the coming times, they will play a big role in the development of the country with their innovative approach and knowledge,” he added.
The Fifth Positive Indigenisation List has been prepared by DMA after several rounds of consultations with all stakeholders. It lays special focus on the import substitution of components of major systems besides important platforms, weapon systems and sensors and munitions which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders in the next five to ten years.
Prominent items include Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle, Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles, Remotely Piloted Air Borne Vehicles up to 25 Km with 2Kg Payloads for Army, Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems, Medium Upgrade Low Endurance Class Tactical Drones, Electric Light Vehicle for Army, Medium Range Precision Kill System for Artillery, Next Generation Low-Level Light Radar for Army, Automatic Chemical Agent Detection and Alarm System.
Other items include an Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) Protection and Counter Measures System, Integrated Mobile Camouflage System, AI-Based Satellite Image Analysis, Test Equipment for a Guided Weapon System for Tank T- 90 S/SK, Quantum Key Distribution System for Optic Fiber based Networks (up to 200 Km range), Very High-Frequency Radar, Electro-Optic Fire Control System for Naval Platforms, Armour Plates for Cabin Nose Section for Mi-17 Helicopter, Automated Mobile Test System for OSA-AK-M Missile System; Multifunction Aviation Ground Equipment for Air Force, Gravity Rollers for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter and flares of P-8I and MiG 29-K Aircraft.
The items in the list will provide ample visibility and opportunity for the domestic industry to understand the trend and futuristic needs of the Armed Forces and create requisite R&D and manufacturing capacity within the country. (ANI)