Defence Ministry comes up with 2nd negative import list of 108 items

The Defence Ministry on Monday came up with a second negative defence import list to boost indigenisation The second list includes 108 defence equipment which will not be imported Earlier the ministry had come up with a negative import list of 101 items to give impetus to selfreliance in defence manufacturingWith the new list of items banned for imports the tally has now gone up to 209 since August last year when the embargo on defence items was announced The Defence Ministry said that all the 108 items will now be procured from indigenous sources as per the provisions given in the Defence Acquisition Procedure DAP 2020The list of items banned for imports will be implemented between December 2021 and December 2025 Out of the 108 items 49 will come into effect from December 2021 while the rest will be scattered over the next four years Among the new items that will be banned from December this year are helicopter with weigh up to 35 tonne wheeled armoured platforms next generation corvette mini UAVs mine protected vehicles border surveillance system and helicopter launched antitank guided missile up to 7 km among othersThe Defence Ministry said the second list lays special focus on weaponssystems which are currently under developmenttrial and are likely to translate into firm orders in the future Like the first list import substitution of ammunition which is a recurring requirement has been given special focus Not only does the list recognises the potential of the local defence industry it also invigorates impetus to domestic research and development by attracting fresh investment into technology and manufacturing capabilities a Defence Ministry statement saidThe list comprises complex systems sensors simulators weapons and ammunition like helicopters next generation Corvettes Airborne Early Warning and Control AEWampC systems tank engines medium power radar for mountains MRSAM weapon systems and many more such items to fulfil the requirements of Indian armed forces the Defence Ministry saidThe second list has been prepared by the defence Ministry after several rounds of consultations with the government and private manufacturing industry confederations to assess future capabilities of the Indian industry which will be able to meet requirements of the armed forces This list provides continuous impetus to selfreliance in defenceThe defence industry can gainfully utilise this opportunity to build robust research and development facilities and capacities and capabilities to meet the futuristic requirements of the armed forces The new list also provides an opportunity for startups and MSMEs which will be boosted by this initiative In August 2020 the first import ban list comprising 101 items was notified in pursuance of the governments Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and to boost indigenisation in the defence sectorAt that time it was also highlighted that more such equipment would be identified progressively to facilitate and encourage defence manufacturing in the country An embargo on defence imports is aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing as the the new defence policy aims at Rs 35000 crore defence exports in five yearsIndia aims to export defence equipment worth Rs 35000 crore 5 billion by 2025 according to the draft defence production export promotion policy 2020 released by the Ministry of DefenceThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever