Rajnath orders review of weapons, equipment procurement process

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 17

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved setting up of a committee to review the process of procurement of weapons and military equipment.

The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), 2016, and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM), 2009, will be reviewed by the committee, a spokesperson said on Saturday. 

The committee will revise and align the procedures with a view to ensuring seamless flow starting from acquisition of weapons or equipment through its entire period of usage across a couple of decades.

The Director General (Acquisition) in the Ministry of Defence will head the committee. 

The DPP 2016 and DPM 2009 have been due for revision and are being realigned towards having a more robust ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Apart from DG (Acquisition) 11 other members, all of whom are equivalent of or above the rank of Joint Secretary/Major General, are part of the committee.

The terms of reference of the committee include removing procedural bottlenecks and hastening defence acquisition; simplifying policy and procedures to facilitate greater participation of Indian industry; and developing robust defence industrial base.

The committee has been tasked to include provisions to promote Indian start-ups and research and development. 

The committee has been given six months to submit its recommendations.