Lok Sabha Question No. 748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Indigenous Air Defence Missiles
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 748

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 th  JULY, 2024

## INDIGENOUS AIR DEFENCE MISSILES

## 748 SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) has developed the large scale shoulder fired indigenous air defence missiles for the Indian Army and Air Force;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features of the said missile system;
- (c) whether the DRDO has completed the trial of these indigenous missiles;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the timeline by which it will be done;

(e) the timeline by which these missiles will be commissioned to Indian Army and Air Force; and

(f)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  modernize  the  armed  forces  and  increase  defence domestic production and if so, the details thereof?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SANJAY SETH)

(a) to (e):  No, Sir. DRDO has not developed the large scale shoulder fired indigenous Air Defence Missile. However, DRDO  has developed Man portable Tripod launched 4 th generation Very Short  Range Air Defence  Missile  System  (VSHORADS).  The technologies and few sub-systems of VSHORADS can be utilized for development of Shoulder Fired Indigenous Air Defence Missile.

(f):  Yes, Sir. In order to modernize the armed forces and increase defence domestic production some of the steps taken by Government are as follows:

-  Defence Acquisition procedure (DAP 2020) is promulgated to maximize acquisition of defence equipment through indigenous sources and promote domestic manufacturing.
-  The provisions of Government funding have been introduced for Make-I, TDF and iDEX projects. Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme executed by DRDO supports indigenous development of components, products, systems and technologies by MSMEs and Start-ups.

-  Five 'Positive Indigenization Lists' of defence equipment and platforms for which there would be an embargo on the import.
-  The 'Development cum Production Partner (DcPP)' model of DRDO is implemented where-in Industry is taken up as DcPP in system development projects.
-  DRDO test facilities  have  been  opened  to  the  industries  for  utilization.  The  test facilities have been listed on DRDO website and have been communicated to them. The facilities are being utilized by the industries.
-  Two Defence Industrial Corridors have been set up in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to catalyze indigenous production of defence and aerospace related items.
-  Defence R&D has been opened up for industry, start-ups and academia with 25% of defence R&D budget earmarked for the purpose. This is being implemented through various existing schemes and new schemes have been proposed.
-  Nil Transfer of Technology (ToT) fees are being charged from DcPPs /PAs/ LSI.
-  Industries have been provided with free access for DRDO patents.
-  Lists of systems which will be developed by industry only have been identified by DRDO. The same has been promulgated by MoD. DRDO will not develop such systems.
-  Simplification of Industrial licensing process with longer validity period.
-  Simplification of Make Procedure, Launch of Innovations of Defence Excellence (iDEX)  scheme  involving startups &  micro, small and medium  enterprises (MSMEs).
-  Launch of an Indigenization portal namely SRIJAN to facilitate indigenization by Indian Industry including MSMEs.

As the results of above policies reforms/initiatives and ease of doing business brought in by the Government in the last ten years with focus on attaining self-reliance, the country has achieved the defence production to the tune of Rs. 1,26,887 Crore in Financial Year 2023-24, reflecting a growth of 16.7% over the defence production of the previous financial year.

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