Lok Sabha Question No. 4977 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-01
Subject: Independent Evaluation of Weapon Systems
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: A. Ganeshamurthi, Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4977

TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 ST  APRIL, 2022

## INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF WEAPON SYSTEMS

4977.  SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI: SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has initiated a proposal for setting  up of independent nodal umbrella body  to  meet the  wide-ranging  testing  and  certification  requirements of  weapon  systems developed  and  manufactured  by  the domestic  private  sector  under  the  Aatmanirbhar  Bharat scheme;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  improvement expected  in  the  standards  of  testing  and certification of weapon systems developed by the private sector after the formation of such an independent body;
- (c) the steps taken to ensure that the evaluation of testing and certification of weapon systems is done independently without any bureaucratic delay;
- (d) the details of armaments and weapon systems that are in the pipeline in the private sector; and
- (e)  the  other  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to revamp  defence  military  planning  and forecasting in the country?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a)  to  (c):  In  the  Union  Budget  for  2022-23,  an  announcement  has  been  made  to  set  up  an independent nodal umbrella body for meeting wide ranging testing and certification requirements. The nodal body is envisaged to be an autonomous body to permit, promote, handhold, monitor & supervise and act as a Single-Window Nodal agency to enable and regulate the existing facilities of Trial, Testing and Certification of Defence Products, besides creating new facilities.  The  Government  aims  to  promote  transparency,  approachability,  equitability  and timely  delivery  of  all  Defence  trial,  testing  and  certification  activities  and  related  services through this body.

(d): During the last three financial years (2018-19 to 2020-21) and current financial year 2021-22 (up to February 2022), 127 capital acquisition contracts have been signed with Indian vendors for capital procurement of Defence equipment for Armed Forces. Out of these, 55 contracts have been signed with PSUs/erstwhile OFB/DRDO and 72 contracts have been signed with  Indian private vendors for capital procurement of Defence equipment for Armed Forces.

(e): Over the past few years, the Government has initiated concerted steps for providing impetus to capability development planning in the Defence Forces.  Some of these important initiatives are as under:-

(i) Defence planning Committee (DPC) The DPC under the chairmanship of National Security Advisor has been constituted in 2018 for facilitating Integrated Planning at the apex level and is focused towards promoting Strategic Planning, Capability Development, Defence Diplomacy and Indigenisation in Defence Sector. The DPC has provided  an  ideal  platform  to  the  Indian  Military  for  working  towards  addressing  its priority capability development needs.

(ii) Appointment of CDS The appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the creation  of  Department  of  Military  Affairs  (DMA),  has  resulted  in  far  greater  synergy with  MoD  as  also  given  the  twin  objectives  of  'Integration/Jointness'  and  'Resources Optimisation'  within  the  Services  a  much  needed  fillip.  In  addition,  it  has  resulted  in Integrated planning for the Defence Forces.

(iii) Long  Term  Modernisation  Planning Factoring  the  emerging/  futuristic  security challenges,  and  in  consonance  with  the  'CCS  Mandate  to  CDS'  for  implementing  the Integrated Capability Development Plan (ICDP), an Integrated Capability Development System  (ICADS)  has  been  initiated  vide  DAP-2020.  The  ICADS  process  maximizes resource  optimization  and  infuses  much  needed  jointness/integration  in  tri-service planning process.

(iv) Reorganisation of IHQ of MoD (Army) The recent reorganization of the IHQ of MoD (Army), creating a Deputy Chief for looking after the strategy and planning needs of the Indian Army, further streamlines the planning process within the Indian Army.

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