Ban on import of 101 defense products from army gun to missile; Know how this decision will make India self-sufficient in defense production?

The Indian Defense Ministry has decided to ban the import of 101 defense products following the advice of the Army, Airforce and Navy. Union defense minister Rajnath Singh has also released a negative list, which includes many products ranging from guns to missiles. This step has been taken to promote a self-reliant India and reduce the burden of imports. Let us know how this decision will enhance Indian capabilities and reduce dependence on other countries.

First of all, understand what is this decision?

The Ministry of Defense has issued a negative list. Under this, the import of 101 defense products will be banned sequentially by December 2025.

The list is prepared by the Military Affairs Department under the leadership of Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat. It has also been told in the notification when the import of which products will be stopped.

The ban on imports will not come as a shock, it will be effective by December 2025. In this, 69 products will not come from abroad after December-2020.

Similarly, 11 products will be banned for import after December-2021. The remaining 21 products will join this list from December 2022 to December 2025.

The list of 101 products includes not only common equipment but also high-tech weapon systems such as artillery guns, assault rifles, sonar systems, transport aircraft, LCH radars.

What is the purpose of this decision?

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called the decision a major step towards a self-reliant India. They were imported from abroad. But now they will be made in the country itself, due to which the Indian defense industry will also increase exports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will announce the Central Government's plan for a self-reliant India on 15 August. This whole exercise is being done to advance Swadeshi of Mahatma Gandhi.

At the Defense Expo in Lucknow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the target is to increase the defense exports from India to $ 5 billion. At that time it was not told how it would happen. The current step can be seen by connecting it.

According to the plan made at this time, the help of the Defense Research and Development Institute (DRDO) will be taken to develop these products indigenously. These products will be prepared for the three armies.

What is the situation of India at this time?

The April-2020 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says that India ranks third after the US and China in terms of spending on the military.

According to this report, India's military expenditure has increased due to increasing tension with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. In 2019, India has spent $71.1 billion on its army. This is 6.8% higher than in 2018.

According to a report by Sipri - Trends in International Arms Transformers 2019, India is the world's largest defense importer after Saudi Arabia.

According to this, Russia (56%) holds a major stake in India's defense imports, and only after this does the US and Israel number. Before 2015, Russia met 74% of India's defense requirements.

India has purchased Scanner-6000 radars from Denmark, Actus Sonar Systems from Germany, Embraer ERJ-154 jets from Brazil, K-9 Thunder Artillery Guns from South Korea, and Super Rapid 76mm Naval Guns from Italy.

Some big deals are not included in Sipri's ranking. It lacks S-400 Triumph air defense systems, frigates, and maneuvering of the AK203, some other deals including the MH-60R chopper.

How will the defense ministry's decision affect domestic defense production?

Between April 2015 and August -2020, the three armed forces worked together to buy products on 260 schemes. The Government of India has spent Rs 3.5 lakh crore on these.

Because of this, the domestic defense industry can get contracts worth Rs 4 lakh crore in the next four-five years. Products worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore will be purchased by the Army and the Airforce, while Navy alone for Rs 1.40 lakh crore.

Experts say that in the new defense procurement policy adopted in 2016, it was clearly stated that domestic companies would be given priority in purchasing defense products. Import will be done only when necessary.

Will this decision of the Center strengthen the Indian defense segment?

Will be absolutely Till now, the Indian defense industry has been complaining that armies always like imported goods. She continues to ignore domestic companies.

Now, it will not be possible. One, this list is made up of the activeness of the Chief of Defense Staff itself. The three Services, DRDO, and companies have been consulted. Therefore, armies have to buy goods from indigenous companies.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the opportunity to make the items included in the list will now be given to the domestic companies. They can either develop the technology themselves or work on it with technology from DRDO.

The defense ministry says that before taking this decision, the capabilities of the Indian industry have also been focused. So that they can build critical platforms, weapons, ammunition, etc. for all three services.

The most important thing is that the forces will also fully support the domestic companies, which will strengthen the defense sector in India. A note in this regard will also be prepared in the Defense Exhibition Procedure (DAP). @DefenceMinIndia announcement of import embargo is a welcome step, in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat. Likely to place ₹ 4 L Cr orders for our industry in 5 yrs. But the key lies in implementation. Strategic Partnership has not produced desired results, JV to produce rifles is stuck— Lt Gen Satish Dua