The Indian Navy has underlined four primary expectations to build a force of tomorrow which is armed with cutting edge technologies with a distinct ‘Make in India’ stamp.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a two-day international seminar with the theme ‘Building India’s Future Navy: Technology Imperatives organised by FICCI, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba voiced optimism that the Strategic Partnership model process to involve the Indian private sector in defence manufacturing would start in six months.
Responding to a question about the SP Model which recently got approved, the Naval chief said: “All the three services will have to go and get the AoNs (Acceptance of Necessity) on what we want to be built through the strategic partners, so that the strategic partner in any segment can be identified. We hope that we should be able to move this process within six months.”
Issuing an AoN is usually the first step in defence procurements.
Earlier, Admiral Lanba said the policy would take India a long way in defence manufacturing. “International partnership is set to undergo a paradigm shift with the Strategic Partnership model. This policy along with initiatives like Make in India will go a long way in building sustainable model for development of a platform and equipment requiring niche technologies.”
The SP Model envisages the establishment of long-term strategic partnerships with qualified Indian industry majors, in which the Indian industry partners would tie up with global original equipment manufacturers. Four sectors have been finalised for the model at present – fighter aircraft, helicopters, submarines and armoured fighting vehicles and main battle tanks.
According to Lanba, Indian Navy has taken giant strides in the field of indigenous ship design and construction to transition from a ‘Buyer’s’ Navy to a ‘Builder’s’ Navy. Despite the achievements in indigenous shipbuilding, the Navy continues to be dependent on external assistance for niche technologies.
An important aspect in attaining 100% self-reliance in ship design and construction, therefore, is the indigenous development of high end technologies, their transition into ship borne equipment and systems, induction into Service and standardisation. Self-reliance in defence production would require dedicated efforts by researchers, designers and manufacturers.
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