India unveils arms procurement policy
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Aug 31, IRNA
Pakistan-India
The Indian government on Wednesday unveiled new weapons procurement procedures reintroducing a modified fast-track process and making field trials of weapons systems more transparent.
According to the daily Dawa, the new defence procurement procedures and manual released by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee also announced a new procedure to boost indigenous research development and production facilities.
The new policy has a provision that provides a level-playing field for indigenous vendors vis-a-vis foreign players by allowing comparison of CIF prices of foreign vendors with indigenous offers by subtracting excise duty, sales tax and local levies.
Through the new policy, the government has also amplified its defence offset implementation policy thereby giving the signal that international tenders for some of the country's biggest-ever defence deals, like acquisition of the 126 multi-role combat aircraft, may be in the offing.
The request for tenders for the 126 combat aircraft is likely to be issued next month.
According to industry sources, the purchase could amount to more than USD 15 billion.
In another major defence deal worth more than USD 700 million, the army is to sign an agreement for purchase of 197 helicopters to replace its aging fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs.
Two firms, Bell Helicopter of the US and Euro-Copter maker EADS, have been shortlisted and evaluated.
Another major deal would be for the purchase of new 155mm guns upgraded to .52 calibre.
2024/235/2321/1414
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