Question : Domestic Procurements

(a) whether the Government is working on domestic procurements and the new ‘negative list’ is expected to be issued and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether around 10 mid-sized projects are l ikely to be allotted to the private sector in future and the deal for Light Utility Helicopters/Light Combat Helicopters is likely to be signed soon and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government and private sector will be working with Start-ups under the Innovation for Defence Excellence(iDEX) initiative as a part of series of efforts to streamline defence procurement; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, project-wise and the steps being taken to bring down the delays in time-lines of capital acquisition?

MINISTER OF STATE (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE


(a) Yes, Sir. The Government is working on Second ‘Positive Indigenisation List’ as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan on domestic procurements.

(b) (i) Government is pursuing initiatives to achieve higher levels of Indigenisation and self-reliance in the defence sector by harnessing the capabilities of the public and private sector industries in the country.

(ii) Case for procurement of Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) and Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) is being progressed in accordance with extant procedures.

(c) & (d): (i) Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework was launched in April, 2018 with an aim to achieve self-reliance and to foster innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace by engaging industries including MSMEs, Start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia.
(ii) iDEX provides grants for prototype development and promotes innovation and entrepreneurship among the Defence Start-ups.
(iii) Various initiatives being undertaken under iDEX are placed at Annexure-1.
(iv) Steps to bring down the delays in timelines of capital acquisition are placed at Annexure-2.

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