The government issued a notification last week simplifying the manufacturing of a range of defence and aerospace equipment and components by private industry, by bringing them under the licensing authority of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The notification was issued as a press note dated January 1 by the DIPP, which is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI). Items are listed in three categories — defence aircraft, warships of all kinds, and allied items of defence equipment. This move is also expected to help foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) looking for partnerships with the private sector. The Defence Ministry has formulated an ambitious Strategic Partnership (SP) model under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), covering four specific areas to promote role of private sector in defence manufacturing.

Source: The Hindu January 06, 2019 15:11 UTC