New Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday released the third positive indigenisation list of defence equipment, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

"I am very happy to issue the third positive list of indigenisation of 101 equipment and systems. These equipment and systems would be procured from the indigenous manufacturers only. Our objective is to make India a defence manufacturing hub,"  Singh said.

The third positive indigenisation list includes several important systems including weapons, naval utility helicopters, and anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles. According to the Ministry of Defence, the third list builds on the first list of 101 items and the second list of 108 items that were promulgated on August 21, 2020 and May 31, 2021 respectively.

The major items in the first list include 155mm/39 Cal Ultra-Light Howitzer, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-IA - Enhanced Indigenised Content, conventional submarines and communication satellites GSAT-7C.

The major items in the second list include the next-generation Corvette, Land-Based MRSAM Weapon System, Smart Anti-Field Weapon System (SAAW) Mk-I and Onboard Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) based integrated life support system for fighter aircraft and 1000HP Engine for Tank (T-72).

The third list will consist of over 100 items, including complex equipment and systems which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders over the next five years. Orders worth more than Rs 2,10,000 crore are likely to be placed on the Industry in the next five years as part of the items covered in the third list, the Defence Ministry said.

With the notification, over 300 sophisticated items will be covered, ranging from complex weapon systems to critical platforms such as Armoured vehicles, combat aircraft, submarines etc.

Since the notification of the first and second lists, contracts for 31 projects worth Rs 53,839 crore have been signed by the Armed Forces. Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for 83 projects worth Rs 1,77,258 crore have been accorded. In addition, cases worth Rs 2,93,741 crore will be progressed in the next five-seven years.

The notification of the third list will supply equipment of international standards to meet the demand of the Armed Forces.