India Promotes Private-Sector Participation for Testing and Certification for Military Equipment

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has initiated a scheme that will promote private-sector involvement in the setting up and running of testing and certification facilities for military equipment.

In a notice issued by the MoD on July 31, it was mentioned that the objective of its new Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) was to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bridge gaps in the country’s defence testing infrastructure.

According to the MoD, the rationale behind this measure is to develop up to eight new common-user testing sites in the country that will meet the needs of the domestic defence industry.

The DTIS states that the government will invest up to INR4 billion (USD58 million) in each new testing facility, although the cost of land will not be funded through the scheme. Government funding cannot exceed 75% of the total cost of the project, with the remainder invested by the private-sector company.

Under the plan, the MoD will prioritise the setting up of testing facilities to support the production and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The MoD plans to set up an industry workshop to support the UAV project on 9 August. It has also issued an ‘expression of interest’ to local firms looking to be involved in developing the UAV testing facility.

The MoD said that other military equipment and capabilities to be supported by DTIS includes radars, noise and shock resistance, electronic warfare systems, ship motion, aerospace systems, ballistic blast, and “any other area in defence manufacturing lacking testing infrastructure”.

The DTIS is being positioned to support India’s new defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The scheme states that these industrial corridors “may be given preference” for the setting up of the testing sites, although facilities will also be required in other regions.India promotes private-sector participation for testing and certification for military equipment

Source: NDT

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