Defence Ministry’s awards for private sector too

NEW DELHI: The defence ministry has opened up its awards that identify firms and individuals that excel in research, import substitution and exports to the private sector, opening up the field that was earlier restricted only to public sector units and the ordnance factory board.

The decision by defence minister Rajnath Singh under the ‘Make in India’ initiative is part of a series of reforms being carried out to encourage greater private sector participation, which includes mandatory outsourcing by state-owned units, opening up of test ranges and sharing of export queries to the Indian industry.

The Raksha Mantri’s Awards for Excellence had been reserved only for state-owned companies in the past, with the prizes being rotated within the nine PSUs that are under the administrative control of the defence ministry itself.


The awards will be given to institutions, teams and individuals who have demonstrated technological breakthroughs and have managed to develop products that have reduced dependence on imports.

Given the renewed focus of the ministry on exporting arms, a category for excellence in this field is also included. “It is expected that this move will facilitate widening and deepening of industrial base in defence and aerospace sector by identifying ‘hidden gems’ and wider recognition of outstanding Indian firms amongst national and international customers,” the defence ministry spokesperson said.