India's 'year of reforms' in defence

A close engagement between the private industry and govt is critical to achieve a robust policy along with adequate budgetary allocations in 2025

- GAURAV MEHNDIRATTA

IN A FIRST, the ministry of defence has announced that it will observe 2025 as the "Year of Reforms". This is in backdrop of Indian defence production increasing by over 50% from FY21 to FY24, and exports increasing 31 times over the last decade, though on a small base. This has been achieved through policy measures like prioritising indigenisation, implementing multiple positive indigenisation lists, and easing the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy.

Now with Aero India, Union Budget, and a revision of the Defence Acquisition Policy (DAP), 2020, around the corner, there is a lot to look forward to. The dream of a Viksit Bharat in 2047 thus rests on the steps we take. These can be encapsulated in the following.

Innovation: To propel innovation, research and development (R&D) needs to be included within the ambit of indigenous content. Further, while the Make in India programmes and Technology Development Fund (TDF) are promising at fostering innovation, however conditions such as "resident control" restrict their application and thus need reconsideration.