Light-weight tanks, anti-radiation missiles: Defence Ministry halts import of 101 more equipment
India Today
On Thursday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) extended its ban on the import of defence-related equipment by adding 101 more equipment to its list of banned items.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has added 101 additional items to its list of defence-related equipment that cannot be imported from foreign countries. This is the third list issued by the ministry, pushing the overall tally of such equipment to 310.
Import restrictions on defence equipment are aimed to promote the indigenous defence manufacturing sector in India.
The Ministry of Defence has stated that it plans to produce these weapons and platforms mentioned in the third list in India between December 2022 to December 2027. These 101 items will, henceforth, be procured from local sources as per the provisions of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.
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"Our aim is to create an environment where the public, private sector and foreign entities can work together and help India become one of the leading countries in defence manufacturing," Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh said.
Among items added to the list are light-weight tanks, mounted Arty gun systems (155mmX 52Cal), naval light-utility helicopters, Guided Extended Range (GER) rockets for PINAKA MLRS, Next Generation Offshore Patrol vessels (NGOPV), medium-range anti-ship missiles (naval variant), advance light-weight torpedo (ship launch), high endurance autonomous underwater vehicles, medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (MALE UAV), anti-radiation missiles and loitering munitions.
