Make in India gets new DPP boost: Defence Expo will display what India can do, says Manohar Parrikar

QUEPEM: Inaugurating the Defence Expo 2016, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said, "The new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) has been put up on the Defence Ministry website today morning. This DPP can help India in achieving a good defence industry network, for its own needs and exports.

"Government is proactive in promoting ' Make in India'. Startup India can be a big contributor in the defence sector." Parrikar said. "With the new DPP, we have ensured that transparency is greater and clearances are faster," he pitched, inviting industry to participate in the sector in a big way.

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"This Defence Expo will display to the world, what India can do. The participation at Defence Expo has been beyond our expectations," he added.

Earlier, MoS Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said, "All countries look to defend their frontiers and those that provide equipment have set up robust manufacturing basis in their respective countries. India has still not been able to achieve what developed countries have in terms of industrial revolution and manufacturing."

"Going forward, we hope to not only manufacture in India, but also design and develop in India for the defence sector," Singh said. "I request industries to work out a model in which 'Make in India' happens in the defence sector, with special focus on design and development. We hope to offer a level playing field. We hope that India will become a big exporter for defence equipment," he added.

The government has been pushing for 'Make in India' in the defence sector, encouraging foreign players to eye India as a potential manufacturing hub. The 9th edition of the Defence Expo is being held in Goa for the first time. The exhibition, which will see live demonstrations as well, is from March 28 to March 31.