NEW DELHI – Indian defence ministry has come out with a new policy whichenvisages achieving a turnover of Rs 1,70,000 crore in military goods andservices by 2025 by promoting the domestic defence industry.

The policy says the aim is to make India one of the top five manufacturersof defence platforms with active participation of public and privatesectors.

The policy lists as a major aim achieving export of Rs 35,000 crore inmilitary equipment and services by 2025 by promoting the domestic defenceindustry.

The defence ministry has sought comments and suggestions of experts andstakeholders on the policy. At present, India is one of the world’s largestimporter of military platforms and weapons.

The government identified 12 military platforms and weapons systems forproduction in India to achieve the aim of “self-reliance”.

They are fighter aircraft, medium lift and utility helicopters, warships,land combat vehicles, missile systems, gun systems, small arms, ammunitionand explosives, surveillance systems, electronic warfare (EW) systems andnight fighting enablers, among others.

The policy says the goal is to achieve a turnover of Rs 1,70,000 crore indefence goods and services by 2025 involving additional investment ofnearly Rs 70,000 crore, creating employment for nearly 2 to 3 millionpeople.

It says the aim is to achieve export of Rs 35,000 crore in defence goodsand services by 2025.

According to the policy, the government aims to make India self-reliant indefence production as well as fulfil demand of other friendly countries.

The policy says the licensing process for defence industries will beliberalised and the list of items requiring licences will be reviewed andpruned.

“Except a small negative list, other items will be taken out of purview oflicensing,” it says, adding all applications for licences will be disposedoff in 30 days.