Manohar Parrikar gave free hand to the Indian Army to be pro-active on the Line of Control

Manohar Parrikar attempted to bring back the modernisation of the armed forces back on track as well as gave free hand to the Indian Army to be pro-active on the Line of Control (LoC)

In his two and a half years as India’s Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar attempted to bring back the modernisation of the armed forces back on track as well as gave free hand to the Indian Army to be pro-active on the Line of Control (LoC).

It was during his ministerial leadership that the Surgical Strikes across the LoC was approved in September 2016, which has since then changed the way India’s response to the Pakistan’s attacks.

He took it as a challenge to modernise the armed forces and ensured that the decisions are taken fast in an effort to help get the equipment and weapons needed for the changing scenarios around India.

The first step he took in this direction was setting up a committee to review the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). And one late evening in April 2016, he announced several amendments to the Defence Procurement Procedure — which is now well known as DPP-2016.

The long-awaited indigenous Light Combat Aircraft `Tejas’ of the Indian Air Force has been introduced because of his efforts. It was due to his efforts that the project came back in limelight. The concept of a fighter helicopter to be made in India was introduced by him.

The amendments in the DPP included the emphasis on `Make in India’, raising the cap of foreign direct Investments to 49 % and, allowing defence exports. Through the amendments minor changes were also made in the Offsets Policy.

Efforts were made to actually simplify the defence procurement procedures, including fast-tracking the critical items.

Though he tried to streamline a long-term integrated perspective plan (LTIPP 2007-22), there has been no formal approval given yet to this.

The minister had initiated structural reforms like the appointment of a chief of defence staff (CDS) and new tri-service Special Forces, aerospace and cyber commands.

He is the man behind the construction of the national war memorial-cum-military museum.

The most important decision taken during his tenure was the inking of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, or LEMOA – an agreement for close military cooperation – with the US.

He is also behind the decision to invite the Japanese Navy for Trilateral Malabar Naval exercise with the Indian and US Navies. The Indian Navy was conducting the Malabar Exercise with the US since 1992. Now, under the trilateral exercises not only the navies of the three countries came together but also the special forces of the navies have started participating in these.

When he was the defence minister the 126 MMRCA deal was still in the process of being negotiated. However, it was eventually cancelled and o36 fighter jets have been ordered from the French company Dassault Aviation.

The Amended DPP Is Aimed At Boosting India’S Target Of ‘Make In India’ Policy

Created level playing field for both Public and Private Sector

It helped in creating major domestic defence industry to cater to its own needs as well as exports.

It ensured the offsets or concerns of many foreign companies have been taken care of.

Under the amended DPP we have ensured that the procurement takes place in a transparent manner but at a faster speed.

The policy will encourage local industry, by helping introduce top priority category called Indian Designed Developed and Manufacture (IDDM).

For Make in India FDI levels have to be increased to 49 per cent through automatic route and even higher percentage can be considered on case to case basis.

The government has de-listed 66 per cent of the items from defence export clearances.

Creation of Strategic Partnership Model

Skill development included in the offset clause in future to boost technology transfer.

A new category called Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) equipment. Under the new category, it will be mandatory for 40% of the content to be sourced locally.