New Delhi: Among the issues touched upon in the recently released 'Sankalp Patra' by the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), defence procurement under its flagship programme 'Make In India' was also a key point. However, Subimal Bhattacharjee, a strategic affairs expert feels that the country's Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) needs to be more streamlined and focussed to avoid delays in procurement procedure.
Highlighting the defence achievements under the programme, the manifesto reads, "One of the most modern AK-203 automatic rifles was manufactured at Amethi under the `Make in India in Defence initiative’. The Make in India in Defence will help in generating employment and encourage investment in the defence sector. "
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Speaking to ETV Bharat, Bhattacharjee said, "Under Make In India, the defence sector has been a priority for the government. Although, I still feel that little bit more streamlining of the DPP would be essential so that the procurements are not delayed."
Make in India was launched by the BJP-led central government on 25 September 2014 to encourage companies to manufacture their products in India and enthuse with dedicated investments into manufacturing.
Talking about the indigenisation of defence procurement Bhattacharjee added, "the whole ecosystem or different tiers for the indigenisation can be better harnessed which would lead to more and more avenues and entrepreneurs getting invloved in the defence sector.