Defence Ministry to impose import embargo on 101 items

Context: The Defence Ministry will introduce an import embargo on 101 items beyond the given timeline to boost indigenisation of defence production.

Details:

• The government intends to reach a turnover of $25 billion through indigenously manufactured defence products and also expects to export products worth $5 billion.
• Government has also decided that in any government contract over ₹200 crores, no foreign company can participate in the tendering process.
• He added that the government would push the Swadeshi movement started by freedom fighters and Mahatma Gandhi during the Independence Movement.
• The list of 101 embargoed items comprises of not just simple parts but also some high technology weapon systems like artillery guns, assault rifles, corvettes, sonar systems, transport aircrafts, LCHs, radars and many other items to fulfill the needs of the defence Services, Mr. Singh said.
• The list also includes wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) with indicative import embargo date of December 2021, of which the Army is expected to contract almost 200 at an approximate cost of over ₹5,000 crores.
• The embargo on imports is planned to be progressively implemented between 2020 to 2024.

Reference:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/self-reliance-in-defence-production-101-items-to-come-under-import-embargo-says-rajnath-singh/article32308342.ece