SELF-RELIANCE IN DEFENCE SPARES
Indigenisation
of defence equipment is an ongoing process and is achieved by
transfer of technology and indigenous research. Indigenisation
of spares of defence equipment has been undertaken in aircraft,
warships, armaments, tanks, vehicles and electronic as well as
engineering equipment. While the Ordnance Factories and Defence
Public Sector Units are manufacturing a wide range of products
for the Defence Forces the private sector has been involved in
the supply of raw materials, semi-finished products, parts and
components of defence equipment. The combined value of the products
of Ordnance Factories and Defence PSUs during 2000-2001 has been
approximately Rs. 14,000 crores as against approximately Rs. 1800
crores on import of stores (which excludes capital equipment)
comprising components, spares, overhaul etc. The Government have
recently allowed private sector participation in the defence industry
upto 100 per cent and also with foreign direct investment permissible
upto 26 per cent both subject to licensing for manufacture of
all types of defence equipment within the country. This will add
to the investment already in the public sector.
This
information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes
in a written reply to Shri C Ramachandraiah in Rajya Sabha today.
