India private sector to make weapons |
The Indian government is set with the broad policy on long-awaited "strategic partnership (SP)" to boost private sector`s role in production of cutting-edge weapon systems, in collaboration with global armament majors through joint ventures in India. Reports said on May 20 the Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, also gave the green signal to the Army to go ahead with its long-term plan to induct three squadrons (39 choppers) of attack helicopters for its three "strike" corps, among other modernization proposals. But the main takeaway was the SP policy under the "Make in India" thrust of the Modi government, which initially opens up four major segments of fighter jets, helicopters, submarines and armoured vehicles (tanks and infantry combat vehicles) for private sectors players. The policy goes to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval after the "smaller details" are worked out. Analysts said the policy is critical of the DRDO and its 50 labs, five defence PSUs, four shipyards, and the 41 factories under the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) that had largely failed on the production front. As a compromise, Defence PSUs, shipyards and OFB will also be eligible to compete with private sector companies for selection as SPs in the submarine and armoured vehicle segments.
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