To attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and boost defence manufacturing in the country, which imports up to 70 per cent of its military hardware, the government had earlier relaxed the FDI policy

NEW DELHI: An inter-ministerial licensing committee, chaired by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary Guruprasad Mohapatra, will meet on June 12 to consider eight proposals from the defence sector.

The applicants include Aditya Precitech, Concord Helmet and Safety Products, Kinetix Engineering Solutions, Kalyani Strategic Systems and Economic Explosives, according to DPIIT.

To attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and boost defence manufacturing in the country, which imports up to 70 per cent of its military hardware, the government had earlier relaxed the FDI policy.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressing MSMEs E-conclave themed, ‘Business Continuity for MSMEs along with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, former president of SIDM Baba N Kalyani.

Last month also, the government said it will relax foreign direct investment norms in defence manufacturing by allowing 74 per cent FDI under the automatic route with a view to attracting overseas players in the sector.

According to the current FDI policy, 100 per cent overseas investments are permitted in the defence industry -- 49 per cent under the automatic route, while beyond that government approval is required.