Negative import list: MoD exempts emergency items

The armed forces have been empowered to import equipment even if it is on a declared negative list in case there are immediate requirements or products delivered by domestic companies do not meet technical requirements and have an impact on the safety of soldiers.

The exception has been given by the defence ministry as a practical measure of flexibility to the armed forces that are undertaking a major indigenisation drive, people aware of the development said.

"In the event the domestic industry is not able to supply equipment in the stipulated time-frame or quantity, or where there are inadequacies in the equipment affecting safety of troops, or in case of any other technical issues...specific cases for import could be taken up to meet immediate requirement, based on the recommendations of Defence lndigenisation Committee (DIC)," the ministry said in a notification.


The notification will not dilute the efforts to curb imports, but will be useful to meet immediate needs of the forces in case of non-delivery or delays by domestic companies.

A new DIC is being constituted to draw up negative import lists and give exceptions to the armed forces.

The committee will be chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff and would have all relevant stakeholders to decide on specific issues. It will oversee the implementation of the negative import list and will progressively expand it to cover more products and services.

DIC will also formulate further negative import lists, which the defence ministry terms a "positive indigenisation list". It will also interact with the industry and other stakeholders to identify more systems that should no longer be imported for the armed forces.