India will adopt China's strategy, will increase focus on selling arms as well as buying

India-China | Along with promoting indigenous defense procurement, the central government is working for large-scale manufacturing of defense technologies in the country, which have export potential. The Ministry of Defense has identified more than a dozen defense technologies, whose production is possible in the country. Apart from meeting the domestic requirements, they can also be exported.

According to Defense Ministry sources, these technologies include AK 203 rifle, 60 mm mortar, Akash and BrahMos missile, Dhanush gun, 52 caliber gun, 30 mm twin barrel air defense gun, LCA Tejas, helicopter and many small arms. The manufacturing of some of these weapons has already started, while some are in the final stages of preparation.

A Defense Ministry source said that under the self-reliant India campaign, priority is being given to defense production in the country. In the new procurement, it has been decided to purchase 65 percent of the materials manufactured in India. On the other hand, emphasis is also being laid on exporting technologies. This year, India's defense exports have reached 13 thousand crores, whereas in 2015-16 it used to be only two thousand crores.

According to sources, India is working on China's strategy in the matter. Which is also among the top five defense buyers in the world and also among the top five exporters. While India is in the top five in terms of arms imports, it is ranked 24th in exports.

According to Defense Ministry sources, defense materials have been supplied by public and private defense companies to Nepal, Bhutan, UAE, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Sri Lanka, Egypt.

Steps taken to increase defense production

Ban on import of 209 defense equipment in a phased manner. These will be made in the country itself.

- Manufacturing of 2500 spares and sub-systems started in the country itself.

- Automatically 74 per cent FDI in defense and 100 per cent government route approval.

65% of defense procurement for the armed forces will be made in India.