New defence indigenisation list has futuristic weapons, systems

• Recently, Defence Minister released the fifth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 98 items which will be procured by the three armed services from indigenous suppliers in a staggered manner
• He also released the Indian Navy’s updated indigenisation roadmap, named Swavlamban 2.0.

Key Points

• It lays special focus on import substitution of components of major systems

Indigenisation list

• Some items on the list include :
  • a futuristic infantry combat vehicle
  • articulated all-terrain vehicles
  • several types of unmanned aerial vehicles
  • medium range precision kill system for artillery,
  • an automated mobile test system for the OSA-AK-M air defence system,
  • gravity rollers for the Mi-17V5 helicopter,
  • flares of P-8I and MiG 29-K aircraft.
• Noting that the Navy has made a commitment to become a fully atma nirbhar or self-reliant force by 2047.

Futuristic technologies

• Last year, the Navy had set a target to develop 75 futuristic technologies in partnership with domestic micro, small and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, and start-ups.
• These promises “have been fully met, and even surpassed in some cases, primarily through the SPRINT initiative.

Prelims Takeaway

• SPRINT initiative
• Swavlamban 2.0