Question : Modernization of Army’s Special Forces

(a) whether the Government has taken a decision to fast track some long delayed modernisation of the Army’s Special Forces to make them even more lethal and mobile for clandestine warfare and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether tenders have been issued to select arms companies for acquisition of new equipments; and

(c) whether the Government has any intention to procure defence requirement from indigenous firms to boost the Make in India initiative and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE (DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
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(a) to (c): Government is taking measures for modernization of the Indian Army, through inducting of new equipment and upgrading of existing equipment and systems. The modernization projects are progressed as per approved Services Capital Acquisition Plans and Annual Acquisition Plans in terms of the extant Defence Procurement Procedures.
During the last three financial years, 150 contracts have been signed with Indian and foreign vendors for capital procurement of defence equipment for Armed Forces.
Government is taking steps to promote indigenization and self reliance in the defence sector. These measures include according priority and preference to procurement from Indian vendors and liberalization of the licensing regime.

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