Atmanirbhar in Defence: Part III | Gist of Rajya Sabha TV / RSTV (now Sansad TV) - UPSC PDF Download

Context

The third positive indigenisation list of 101 defence items comprising major equipment/platforms has been released by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

A Brief Overview

• The indigenization list represents India's proactive attitude toward achieving self-reliance in - defence, which will increase the nation's capacity for defence manufacture.
• The domestic industries have received a tremendous boost in order to create the weapons and equipment required by the armed forces.
• In accordance with the requirements of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, the 101 products will be incrementally purchased from domestic suppliers.
• Imports of certain platforms and weapons will be gradually outlawed, with some items subject to an embargo from December 2022 to December 2027.

About the third list

The list of indegenous defence equipment has been notified by the Department of Military Affairs of the Ministry of Defence includes the following

1. Lightweight tanks
2. Calibre mounted artillery gun systems
3. Guided extended range rockets for Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher system
4. Naval Utility Helicopters
5. Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels
6. Multi-function surveillance targeting and acquisition radar (MF STAR)
7. Medium Range anti-ship missiles (MR SAM)
8. Advanced Lightweight Torpedo
9. High endurance autonomous underwater vehicle
10. Medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle
11. Anti-radiation missiles
12. Loitering Munitions
13. Light Combat Aircraft
14. Onboard Oxygen Generation System

The Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System

• The successful flight testing of the Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System and Pinaka Area Denial Munition rocket system has been carried out by DRDO and the Indian Army at Pokhran firing ranges.

Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS): Salient Features

• The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, another DRDO laboratory based in Pune, has assisted in the development of the Pinaka rocket system, which was created by the Armament Research and Development Establishment.
• The Pinaka variant, which has been in use by the Indian Army for the past ten years, has been updated into the EPRS.
• After the increased range version of Pinaka had proven its performance and efficacy, the technology was distributed to businesses like Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur.

Transfer of Technology

• The DRDO has engaged in this process of indigenisation of defence equipment to strengthen the local manufacturing by signing 30 Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements with 25 domestic industries. 
• The technologies include quantum random number generator, counter-drone system, laser directed energy weapon system, missile warhead, high explosive materials, high grade steel, specialised materials, propellants, surveillance and reconnaissance, radar warning receivers, mine barriers, firefighting suits, anti-mine boots and so on. 
• About 68% of the defence capital budget has been allocated for domestic procurement. Additionally, 25% of the defence R&D budget is reserved for industry, start-ups and academia.

Significance

• In accordance with the first and second lists, so far the Indian Armed Forces have signed around 31 projects worth Rs. 53839 crore along with the Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for various projects. 
• The notification of the third list will supply equipment of international standards to meet the demands of the armed forces. 
• The third list of indigenisation of defence equipment is a potential initiative and effort to achieve self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. 
• Therefore, this step is an essential testimony that aims to transform India into a defence manufacturing hub.

Ways Forward

• For greater capacity building, technology development, and delivery of necessary platforms for weapons and instruments, there needs to be increased interaction with the private sector in addition to a national defence agenda. Experts predict that this will increase domestic industry confidence and increase the country's capacity to produce defences.
• As the three lists of 310 defence equipment have been presented with a constrained scope, there needs to be more diverse technological infiltration with wide avenues of operations to face the security issues in the coming days with the quickly changing geopolitical scenario.
• With the right infrastructure and legislative framework in place, the private sector can play a key role in bringing new technology that will provide the armed forces tremendous resilience.