By Shivani
The defence industry has been tasked with designing and constructing 18 main platforms, including naval shipborne unmanned aerial systems and lightweight tanks, according to the Defence Ministry. The action is part of the ministry’s overall strategy to bolster the local defence industry.
Other important platforms to be developed under the project include a hypersonic glide vehicle, unmanned autonomous AI-based land robot, 127 mm naval gun, electric propulsion for ships, and standoff airborne jammer, in addition to ship-borne unmanned aerial systems and lightweight tanks.
According to the ministry, 18 important platforms have been designated for industry-led design and development, in line with the government’s goal of fostering self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing.
Under the ‘Make-I’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, the private sector is developing 14 platforms, according to the defence ministry. The ‘Make-I’ category, according to DAP, intends to create self-reliance by involving more Indian industry in the manufacturing of defence equipment.
According to the government, two platforms will be built under the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) paradigm. Private industry is encouraged to design and build military platforms and equipment in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other organisations under the SPV model.
Long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter have been considered platforms for development under the SPV model (IMRH). Under the iDEX programme, which promotes start-ups and MSMEs, a platform dubbed Low Orbit Pseudo Satellites will be built. Anti-jamming systems for numerous platforms are being developed under the ‘Make-II’ category, according to the ministry.
The initiatives in the ‘Make-II’ category are funded by the industry with government procurement guaranteed.
