The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has instituted a committee to carry out a comprehensive review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), 2020, to speed up the process of fast-changing technology infusion, address restrictions against private companies, and align it with existing Central government policies and initiatives.
The committee, headed by the Director General (Acquisition), will carry out extensive deliberations with all stakeholders and submit a report in six months. The move is in line with the Ministry’s declaration of treating 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’.
The Ministry stated that the aim of the DAP review is to “meet the operational requirements and modernisation of the armed forces in a timely manner to ensure national security.”
“Enabling ‘Make in India’ by promoting defence manufacturing by facilitating joint ventures and Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the private sector, encouraging foreign OEMs via FDI (foreign direct investment) alignment, and establishing India as a global defence manufacturing and MRO hub,” is another objective of the panel.
Open to suggestions
The Ministry also stated that the committee will have a fresh look at the DAP to promote design and development in both public and private sectors, with a focus on start-ups, innovators, and the private defence industry for indigenous technology infusion.
The Committee includes senior officers from the Ministry of Defence, representatives from the military industry, and academia.
Former 1980-batch IAS officer Apurva Chandra, who has previously served as DG (Acquisition), has been appointed as the Principal Advisor to the Committee.
The panel has already begun consultations and has invited suggestions from stakeholders by July 5.
Procedural clarity
Consultations with stake holders are for bringing policy/procedural changes to streamline acquisition processes, covering categorisation, ease of doing business, conduct of trials, post-contract management, fast track procedures, and adoption of new technologies such as AI.
Language improvements to eliminate ambiguity, remove inconsistencies, and enhance procedural clarity in the DAP is another concern that has to be addressed.
Besides that, any other relevant issues that should be addressed in the review, stated the Ministry.