Lok Sabha Question No. 1540 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-10
Subject: Self-reliance in Production of Defence Products
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Rattan Lal Kataria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1540

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  February, 2023

## SELF-RELIANCE IN PRODUCTION OF DEFENCE PRODUCTS

1540.  SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Ministry is firmly adopting the use of science and technology to achieve selfreliance in production of defence products;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the Government has successfully launched the first flight of unmanned 'Fighter Aircraft' built by Defence Research and Development Organisation recently;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the manner in which it will enhance the strength of Indian Army?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

- (a)  &  (b):    The  Government  has  undertaken  a  number  of  policy initiatives  for  indigenous manufacturing   of state-of-the -art technology defence products. These initiatives, inter-alia, include: -
- i. In  order  to  promote  indigenous  design  and  development  of  defence  equipment 'Buy  {Indian-IDDM  (Indigenously  Designed,  Developed  and  Manufactured)}' category has been accorded top most priority for procurement of capital equipment.
- ii. An innovation  ecosystem  for  Defence  titled  Innovations  for  Defence  Excellence (iDEX)  has  been  launched  in  April  2018.  iDEX  is  aimed  at  creation  of  an ecosystem  to  foster  innovation  and  technology  development  in  Defence  and Aerospace by engaging Industries including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises  ( MSMEs)  ,  Start-ups,  Individual  Innovators,  Research  &  Development  (R&D) institutes  and  Academia  and  provide  them  grants/funding  and  other  support  to carry  out  R&D  which  has  potential  for  future  adoption  for  Indian  defence  and aerospace needs.
- iii. To  enable  adoption  of  Artificial  Intelligence  in  defence,  Defence  AI  Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) has been created. Further, an AI roadmap  has  also  been  finalised  for  each  Defence  Public  Sector  Undertaking (DPSU)  under  which  70  defence  specific  AI  projects  have  been  identified  for development.

- iv. Specific  provisions  have  been  introduced  in  DAP-2020  under  'Buy  and  Make (Indian)' and 'Buy (Global - Manufacture in India)' category, wherein indigenous production is carried out with Transfer of Technology (ToT) from foreign OEM.
- v. Discharge of offset obligations by foreign OEMs through ToT to Indian enterprises including government institutions has been incorporated.
- vi. Government has notified the 'Strategic Partnership (SP)' Model which envisages establishment  of  long-term  strategic  partnerships  with  Indian  entities  through  a transparent  and  competitive  process,  wherein  they  would  tie  up  with  global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.
- vii. Defence  Research  &  Development  (R&D)  has  been  opened  up  for  industry, startups  and  academia  with  25  percent  of  defence  R&D  budget  earmarked,  to promote development of defence technology in the country.
- viii. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) identified nine thrust areas for focused research, namely Platforms, Weapon System, Strategic Systems, Sensors & Communication Systems, Space, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, Material & Devices and Soldier Support.
- ix. Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme also funds industries, especially Start-ups  and  MSMEs upto  an amount of Rs. 10 Crore, for innovation, research and development of defence Technologies in the field of defence and Aerospace.

As a result of these initiatives, many State-of-the-art technology products including 155mm  Artillery  Gun  system  'Dhanush',  Light  Combat  Aircraft  'Tejas',  Surface  to  Air Missile  system  'Akash',  Main  Battle  Tank  'Arjun',  T-90  Tank,  T-72  Tank,  Armoured Personnel Carrier 'BMP-II/IIK', Su-30  MK1, Cheetah Helicopter, Advanced Light Helicopter,  Dornier  Do-228,  High  Mobility  Trucks,  INS  Kalvari,  INS  Khanderi,  INS Chennai, Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette (ASWC), Arjun Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle, Bridge Laying Tank, Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) for 155mm Ammunition, Medium  Bullet  Proof  Vehicle  (MBPV),  Weapon  Locating  Radar  (WLR),  Integrated  Air Command  and  Control  System  (IACCS),  Software  Defined  Radios  (SDR),  Lakshya Parachute for Pilotless Target Aircraft, Opto Electronic Sights for Battle Tanks, Water Jet Fast  Attack  Craft,  Inshore  Patrol  Vessel,  Offshore  Patrol  Vessel,  Fast  Interceptor  Boat, Landing Craft Utility, 25 T Tugs, etc. have been produced in the country during the last few years.

(c) to (e):  Yes, Sir. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle designed and developed by DRDO, has been successfully tested in fully autonomous mode.This flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft and is a significant step towards self-reliance in such strategic defence technologies.

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