India’s Defence Ministry Sets Up Advanced Testing Facilities in Chennai
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) of India has taken a significant step to enhance the country’s defence capabilities. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to establish state-of-the-art testing facilities in Chennai, under the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor.
Details of the MoU
The MoU was exchanged between senior MoD officials and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited, in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi. This initiative is part of the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), which was launched with a budget of Rs 400 crore by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh in May 2020.
Objectives of the Initiative
The primary goals of this initiative are to promote indigenous defence production, reduce dependency on imported military equipment, and enhance self-reliance in defence technologies. The MoU outlines the creation of three advanced testing facilities focusing on:
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Electronic Warfare (EW)
- Electro Optics (EO)
These facilities will provide cutting-edge testing capabilities to both government entities and private sector partners within the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor.
Funding and Collaboration
The DTIS offers substantial support through up to 75% government funding as ‘Grant-in-Aid’, with the remaining 25% funded by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) comprising Indian private entities and state or central governments. This funding mechanism aims to encourage collaborative efforts in developing critical defence testing infrastructure.
For the UAS testing facility, Keltron, a government undertaking from Kerala, leads the SPV consortium, supported by private sector companies. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and India Optel Limited (IOL) are the lead SPV members for the EW and EO testing facilities respectively, highlighting the collaboration between public and private sectors in advancing defence technologies.
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion, these facilities will be equipped with advanced testing equipment and capabilities, facilitating rigorous evaluation and certification of defence equipment and systems. This initiative is expected to significantly boost India’s pursuit of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing and technology.
