DRDO lists 108 items to boost local industry

A DRDO met defence minister Rajnath Singh briefed him on the 108 defence items identified for local production by the industry to achieve self-reliance in the defence sector, a defence ministry spokesperson said.

It will also allow the DRDO to sharpen its focus on advanced technologies, the defence ministry said in a statement.

“This initiative will pave the way for the Indian defence industry to develop many technologies towards building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat,” the defence minister’s office tweeted.

The DRDO will also provide support to the domestic industry for the design, development and testing of these systems, the ministry said.

“All the requirements of these systems by R&D establishments, armed forces and other security agencies can be met through development contracts or production orders on suitable Indian industry. This will allow the DRDO to focus on design and development of critical and advanced technologies and systems,” the statement said.

As on August 9, the government announced that it will ban the import of 101 different types of weapons, systems and ammunition over the next five years, a significant step on the long road towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.