New Delhi, March 28 (IANS): A leading industry body on Monday said that the revised defence procurement procedure (DPP 2016) will enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the defence manufacturing.

According to the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the DPP 2016 has not only addressed the concerns of the defence OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), but also enabled the participation of the SMEs in defence projects.

"By introducing and according the highest priority to indigenously designed, developed and manufactured procurement, DPP 2016 would definitely spur more design development activities within the country," said Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of CII.

Banerjee elaborated that the DPP 2016 will contribute towards the much higher indigenous content and creation of a vibrant domestic defence industrial base.

The move is said to further give an impetus to the government's 'Make in India' programme in defence manufacturing.