5th Positive Indigenization List And Internal Security Plan:
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently notified a fifth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) comprising defence items, aimed at boosting self-reliance and minimizing imports and encouraging the domestic defence sector.
Key Highlights of the Fifth Positive Indigenisation List:
- The fifth PIL comprises 346 items aimed at advancing Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence and reducing import dependence by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
- It ensures that these items are procured exclusively from the Indian industry, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups.
- Items include strategically important Line Replacement Units (LRUs), systems, sub-systems, assemblies, sub-assemblies, spares, components, and raw materials.
- The list is available on the MoD’s Srijan portal, which provides a platform for DPSUs and service headquarters (SHQs) to offer defence items for indigenisation to private industries.
- DPSUs like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), and others have initiated processes for issuing Expressions of Interest (EoIs) and Requests For Tender or Proposals (RFPs).
- The indigenisation of these items is expected to have an import substitution value worth Rs 1,048 crore.
- The initiative provides assurance to the domestic defence industry, encouraging them to develop defence products without the risk of competition from imports.
- The MoD aims to continue expanding the list annually up to 2025, further increasing the number of items to be indigenised.
- This incremental approach supports the long-term goal of achieving greater self-reliance in defence production.
