All defence PSUs told to produce oxygen

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 20

All companies and factories under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have been told to immediately buy oxygen producing machines and provide extra beds to civil administration and state governments to combat the Covid crisis.

The decision was announced following an emergency virtual meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.

There are nine public sector undertakings (PSUs) under the MoD. Also, the Ordnance Factory Board has 41 factories while the Defence Research and Development Organisation has multiple units and labs working on dual use technology — military and civil.

The Defence Minister asked the armed forces to be in close contact with state governments and use emergency powers to procure goods needed to fulfil critical medical requirements.

Tejas technology for private industry

• MoD has offered to the private industry a technology developed for oxygen generation onboard Tejas jet
• 1,000 litres of oxygen can be generated per hour; can cater to hospital needs
• A DRDO tech for maintaining blood oxygen level in troops at extreme high altitudes will be used for Covid patients