PM unveils India-made jet trainer, lists another 101 defence items for local production

The new India is moving ahead with the mantra of intent, innovation and implementation in the defence sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while inaugurating the DefExpo22 in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

PM Modi unveiled HTT-40 – the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – at the India Pavilion and also announced the fourth positive indigenisation list of 101 items during the expo being held under the theme ‘Path to Pride’.

Besides, the Prime Minister launched ‘Mission DefSpace’ to develop innovative solutions for the defence forces in the space domain through industry and startups.

Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Deesa airfield in Gujarat. The forward airforce base will add on to the security architecture of the country.

One of the key constituents of the Modi government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ is to transform the defence sector to achieve self-reliance and boost the export of defence items with the active participation of the public and private sectors.

The Prime Minister, during his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 76th Independence Day, had appreciated the efforts taken for indigenisation through the Positive Lists. These lists would boost indigenisation and achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the defence sector and increase exports in the coming times.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken numerous steps to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ is one of the landmark initiatives towards achieving that vision.

The MoD had earlier promulgated the first, second and third Positive Indigenisation Lists comprising 310 items on August 21, 2020, May 31, 2021, and April 7, 2022, respectively.

All the items included in the lists will be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. This list provides continuous impetus towards self-reliance in defence.

The fourth list has been prepared by MoD after several rounds of consultations with all stakeholders, including the industry. It lays special focus on equipment/systems, which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders in the next five to 10 years.

Like the first three lists, import substitution of ammunition which is a recurring requirement has been given special focus. This fourth list recognises the growing capacity and capabilities of the Indian defence industry and is likely to stimulate the potential of domestic research & development by attracting fresh investment into technology and manufacturing capabilities.

The items listed in the fourth list will provide ample visibility and opportunity to the domestic defence industry for understanding the trend and futuristic needs of the Armed Forces and create requisite R&D and manufacturing capacity within the country.

The MoD said that it will facilitate a conducive environment and render all possible support to the industry to ensure that the timelines mentioned in the ‘Fourth Positive Indigenisation List’ are met, thereby achieving self-reliance in defence and developing the capabilities for exports within the country in a time-bound manner.

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