Question : DEFENCE PROJECTS

(a) whether the Government has cleared defence projects worth several crore to clear long pending deals considered critical to plug gaps in the nations operational military capabilities, if so, the project-wise details thereof along with the amount involved therein;

(b) the details of the pending proposals for procurement of defence equipment along with the time since when these are pending and action taken for approval of the same;

(c) whether the Government proposes to produce several submarines / stealth submarines with foreign collaborations in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the Shipyards identified for building the submarines and time by which such submarines are likely to be built and made operational; and

(e) the other steps being taken for simplifying the process of defence procurement and increasing the indigenous production of defence weapon in the country?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)

(a) to (d): The Acquisition of Capital Assets for defence forces flow from the Defence Procurement Planning process comprising 15 year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP), 5 year Service Capital Acquisition Plan (SCAP) and Annual Acquisition Plan (AAP). The procurements are carried out as per the provisions of Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2013. This is a continuous process undertaken to keep the armed forces in a state of readiness to meet any eventuality. Divulging further details in this regard would not be in the interest of National Security.

(e) The refinements in the Defence Procurement Procedure are carried forward from time to time based on stake holders feedback and the experience gained during procurement process. Defence Production Policy focuses on greater self-reliance in design development and production of equipment / weapon systems / platforms required for defence in as early a time frame as possible. There has been a thrust on indigenous manufacture of defence equipment through the collaborative efforts of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Public Sector Undertakings, Ordnance Factory Board and the Indian Private Sector.