Helicopters to warships: Government notifies new indigenisation list

The Ministry of Defence has announced the sixth Positive Indigenisation List (PIL), which includes 405 items with an estimated business potential of Rs 3,070 crore. The list, issued by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), covers a wide range of defense-related products and services. These include helicopters such as the Advanced Light Helicopter, Light Utility Helicopter, Chetak, and Cheetah; fighter jets like the Su-30MKIs, Jaguars, and MiG-29s; the Light Combat Aircraft and AL-31FP Engine; and armored platforms including T-72, T-90, and BMP-II.

The list also encompasses warships, missile systems such as Konkurs-M, Invar, and MRSAM, defense electronics like radars, sonars, fire control systems, and satellite communication systems, as well as High Explosive Anti-Tank ammunition.

This sixth list represents another step in the government's efforts to promote self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It aims to expand opportunities for the Indian industry, strengthen domestic defense manufacturing, encourage investment and innovation, and reduce dependence on imports.

Out of the 405 items, 16 belong to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), and 389 are from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). All listed items must be indigenized within a specified timeframe, with some deadlines set as December 2031. Upon successful development locally, these items will be exclusively procured from the Indian industry.