Parrikar Unveils ‘Transparent’ Defence Procurement Procedure

Parrikar says the new Defence Procurement Procedure will ensure transparency and speed in acquisition process.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. (Photo: Reuters)

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar unveiled the much-awaited Defence Procurement Procedure, saying it will ensure transparency and speed in acquisition process and boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative to reduce dependence on imports (rpt) imports.

“The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) can push the agenda of’Make in India’ and India’s target of achieving defence industry network,” Parrikar said at the inauguration of four-day Defence Expo in Betul-Naqueri village, about 50 kms from Panaji. 

With the new DPP, it will be ensured that there is greater transparency and faster clearances, he said. 

Push For Make in India

The DPP have been loaded online on the Defence Ministry’s website and would be made available in hard copy format after 15 days. Parrikar said certain concerns of foreign companies which were expressed in the past, would be addressed through this policy in next three to four months. The new policy has introduced an Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)category which will benefit the local units, he said.

“We have increased the Foreign Direct Investment (in Defence sector) to 49 per cent which will be through automatic route,” the minister pointed out.

Parrikar said defence export clearances are to be granted online. He said the policy will also include ‘Start-up India’ initiative.

We expect that new policy will make the world take advantage of technological revolution across India.

Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh and Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar were present at the function.

The new DPP would help India reduce its dependency on foreign countries and source defence equipment within the country, Singh said.

All defence procurement, the capital side of it, is from abroad. In the years to come one hopes we will be able to source it within India, either as a partnership with foreign companies or through our own domestic industrial base which so far has been kept away from the defence spectrum.

Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State for Defence

Parrikar had earlier said the new blacklisting policy will also be issued separately next month and made it clear that there will be “no relaxation” for those who have already been blacklisted and “bribe givers” will be punished. However, the existing blacklisted firms will be allowed to appeal before a vigilance committee of the Defence Ministry for delisting under the new policy.

The new category IDDM will be the first category of preference under new DPP, which will guide how India buys its arms and equipment for its armed forces. The new DPP also allows the Defence Acquisition Council to take the “fast-track” route to acquire weapons.