Restrictions announced on import of 101 defence items, boost to domestic manufacturing

In a major push to promote the domestic defence industry, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced restrictions on import of 101 weapons and military platforms including light combat helicopters, transport aircraft, conventional submarines and cruise missiles by 2024.

Making the announcement on Twitter, the defence minister estimated that the domestic defence industry would receive contracts worth almost Rs four lakh crore within the next five to seven years as a result of the decision to prune the import list.

Singh said the defence ministry is now ready for a “big push” to boost indigenous defence manufacturing in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India).