Ministry of Defence announces 5th positive indigenisation list of 346 items to promote defence manufacturing

In a significant move to bolster Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector and reduce dependency on imports, the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence, has released the fifth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) comprising 346 items.

This list, which includes crucial line replacement units, sub-systems, assemblies, sub-assemblies, spares, components, and raw materials, represents an import substitution value of Rs 1,048 crore.

The items on this list will now be procured exclusively from Indian industries, following the specified indigenisation timelines available on the Srijan portal srijandefence.gov.in.

Launched in 2020, the SRIJAN PORTAL is a key initiative where Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Service Headquarters (SHQs) present defence items for indigenisation to industries, including MSMEs and start-ups.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative has driven significant progress in defence indigenisation, with Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh playing a pivotal role in advancing self-reliance in defence production.

DPSUs will undertake the indigenisation of items listed in the fifth PIL through various methods, including the 'Make' procedure or in-house development, involving industries and MSMEs.

This effort is expected to stimulate economic growth, boost defence investment, and reduce import dependency. Moreover, it will enhance the design capabilities of the domestic defence industry by involving academic and research institutions.

Key DPSUs, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), BEML Limited, India Optel Limited (IOL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), are involved in implementing the fifth PIL. 

They have already begun issuing Expressions of Interest and Requests for Proposals on their respective websites, with links available on the Srijan Portal Dashboard (srijandefence.gov.in/DashboardForPublic). Industries, MSMEs, and start-ups are encouraged to participate actively.

Before this, the DDP notified four PILs, comprising 4,666 items, out of which 2,972 items, with an import substitution value of Rs 3,400 crore, have been indigenised. These five lists for DPSUs are in addition to the five positive indigenisation lists of 509 items notified by the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), covering highly complex systems, sensors, weapons, and ammunition.

By June 2024, over 36,000 defence items had been offered for indigenisation by DPSUs and SHQs. Of these, more than 12,300 items have been indigenised in the past three years, leading to DPSUs placing orders worth Rs 7,572 crore with domestic vendors.