New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS): Defence Minister A.K. Antony Thursday said the revised defence procurement procedure (DPP) would come into force from April and urged private and public sector companies to shed their "miserly attitude" towards spending on research and development of defence equipment.
Terming India's defence procurement procedure "dynamic", Antony said: "(We) Will be able to introduce the revised DPP April onwards."
He said efforts were made to bring "accountability and transparency" in the revised DPP and emphasis was on the technology transfer to boost indigenisation.
Seeking more investment from companies on research and development to realise the aim of faster indigenisation, the defence minister said: "Except few (companies), budget for research and development of many is not enough."
Antony was speaking at NAVARMS-2013, an international seminar-cum-exhibition on naval armament organised in the national capital.
Among the defence forces, the minister said, the navy has made sustained efforts towards indigensation.
"Navy's focus on self-reliance has opened a host of opportunities for the (Indian) industry," he said.
Antony added that the government was trying to meet objectives of defence forces of acquiring world-class armaments and expanding the Indian defence industry.
Describing offsets as an integral part of the country's policy to promote indigenisation, he said the government has been keen on encouraging the industry to realign its business processes for strategic alliances and joint ventures.
He said the Indian industry was at the threshold of becoming a global player in the field of information and communication technology, engineering and manufacturing.
The country's defence sector is open to Indian private sector for 100 percent participation. Foreign direct investment is permissible up to 26 percent.
The defence minister hoped that the Indian industry would gradually assume the role of system integrator and manufacturer of complete defence equipment and systems. "This provides a major shift in the role of private sector in India," he said.