Defense Manufacturing and Indigenization

Defense Manufacturing and Indigenization क्या है?

Defense Manufacturing refers to the production of weapons, military vehicles, aircraft, naval vessels, and other defense equipment. Indigenization in Defense is the process of designing, developing, and manufacturing these defense systems and components within the country, thereby reducing reliance on foreign imports and fostering self-reliance.

ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि

Post-independence, India established Ordnance Factories and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to build a domestic defense industrial base. However, significant import dependence persisted. The push for indigenization gained momentum with initiatives like 'Make in India' (2014) and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' (2020), aiming to transform India into a global defense manufacturing hub.

मुख्य प्रावधान

8 points

1.
Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: Prioritizes procurement from Indian vendors and promotes indigenous design and development. Categories like Buy (Indian - IDDM) Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured are given highest preference.
2.
Negative Import List: Periodically released lists of defense items whose import is prohibited, encouraging domestic production. The first list was released in 2020.
3.
FDI Policy: Increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in defense manufacturing to 74% under automatic route and 100% via government route for specific cases.
4.
Defense Industrial Corridors: Established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to create a robust ecosystem for defense production.
5.
Strategic Partnership Model: Aims to involve private sector players in manufacturing high-tech defense equipment in partnership with foreign OEMs.
6.
Technology Development Fund (TDF): Scheme to promote indigenous design and development of defense technologies by MSMEs and startups.
7.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): Platform to engage startups and MSMEs to develop innovative solutions for defense and aerospace.
8.
Budgetary Allocation: Increased capital outlay for domestic procurement and R&D in defense.

दृश्य सामग्री

Defense Industrial Corridors & Key Production Hubs in India

This map highlights the locations of India's two designated Defense Industrial Corridors (DICs) in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, along with key defense production sites like GRSE Kolkata, showcasing the geographical focus of defense manufacturing and indigenization efforts.

📍Uttar Pradesh Defense Industrial Corridor — UP DIC (Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi)
📍Tamil Nadu Defense Industrial Corridor — TN DIC (Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli)
📍Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata — Major Shipyard (ASW SWC 'Anjadip' Producer)
📍Bengaluru, Karnataka — Aerospace & Defense R&D Hub

हालिया विकास

5 विकास

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Significant increase in the share of domestic procurement in the defense budget.

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India has become a net exporter of defense equipment, with exports reaching INR 21,083 crore in FY 2023-24.

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Development of major indigenous platforms like INS Vikrant (aircraft carrier), Tejas LCA (fighter jet), and Akash Missile System.

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Growing participation of the private sector and MSMEs in defense supply chains.

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Focus on critical and emerging technologies like AI, drones, and cyber security in defense R&D.

स्रोत विषय

Indian Navy Inducts Anjadip, Fourth Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft

Polity & Governance

UPSC महत्व

Crucial for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy, Science & Technology, Security). Questions often focus on policy initiatives, their impact on self-reliance, economic growth, and strategic autonomy. Relevant for both Prelims (facts, schemes) and Mains (policy analysis, challenges, opportunities).