New Defence Testing Facilities in Chennai: A Big Step for India’s Defence Industry
The Ministry of Defence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up three advanced testing facilities in Chennai. These facilities will be part of the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor and will focus on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Electro-Optics (EO).
Details of the MoU
The MoU was exchanged between senior officials of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited. Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane was present during the signing in New Delhi.
About the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)
Launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in May 2020, the DTIS aims to set up testing facilities in collaboration with private industry and the Central/State Government. The scheme has a budget of Rs 400 crore and aims to promote indigenous defence production, reduce military equipment imports, and enhance self-reliance.
Funding and Collaboration
The DTIS provides 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/Central Governments. For the UAS testing facility, Keltron, a government of Kerala undertaking, is the lead SPV member, with some private sector companies being the consortium members. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and India Optel Limited (IOL) are the lead SPV members in the EW and EO testing facilities respectively.
Future Prospects
Upon completion, these facilities will provide advanced testing equipment and services to both government and private industry, boosting ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence.
Recent Developments
On March 1, the Ministry of Defence signed five major capital acquisition contracts worth Rs 39,125.39 crore in Delhi, further supporting the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative as part of ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence’.
