Almost All Defence Orders Will Now Be Placed With Domestic Companies

Vice Chief of Army Lt Gen BS Raju said this while inaugurating the North Tech Symposium in Udhampur on Saturday that practically all weaponry and equipment will be provided to Indian industry in the future. He stated, “Future conflicts must be fought using indigenous equipment.”

The Defence Ministry issues an AoN for a specific weapon system or piece of equipment at the start of the procurement process.

Over 150 Indian companies attended the conference, demonstrating the innovations they have to offer the Indian military.

“In the future, the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) will only be provided to indigenous defence producers,” Raju told the audience. We will travel more than half a mile to fulfil your goals. We will provide you with all necessary resources, including equipment, testing facilities, and, most importantly, our time.”

The Army would “not ask you for the moon,” Raju said, adding that the Preliminary Service Quality Specifications (PSQRs), which are the requirements that an equipment or weapon must achieve, “will be realistic so that you are able to manufacture.” He stated that if the industry can reach 80% of “our expectations,” then “we will issue orders.”

Later, he informed journalists that the Army is attempting to simplify PSQRs. Many industry members have complained about the Army’s rigorous PSQRs.

“We need drones of all kinds that can undertake constant surveillance, deliver payload, carry ammo to the area of choice, secure communication, medical equipment, troops on the ground require decent habitat, and so on,” Raju said of the technology the Army is searching for.

Made-in-India push

The plan is part of a government attempt to boost India’s fledgling defence sector and wean the country off its reliance on imported weaponry, which it is one of the world’s largest importers of. In the previous two years, the Indian Army has signed contracts worth Rs 40,000 crore with Indian businesses. The Army’s immediate needs include surveillance equipment, particularly drones, as well as high-altitude mountaineering gear and apparel.

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi later told a few journalists that the Army is searching for two pressing requirements. “What we were exporting from outside met the urgent necessities.” And where we believe the enemy possesses a technology that we must counter.”These are the two most important requirements,” he explained.

The Army is exploring for indigenous alternatives to Special Clothing and Mountaineering Technology (SCME) and surveillance equipment like drones, according to Lt Gen Dwivedi. “Because this technology is evolving every day, the opponent is able to discover a counter to anything we’re doing,” he explained. We’ll have to hunt for a counter once more.”

These technologies are being created globally, according to Dwivedi, but “by the time they come here, they are outmoded, if I may so.” As a result, it is critical that we create these technologies in India so that we may advance and graduate to a higher level in tandem with, or perhaps ahead of, what the opponent is doing.”