In order to give a boost to domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing, Raksha Mantri has approved the launch of the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS).

Practice question for mains:

Q. Self-reliance in defence manufacturing is one of the key objectives of ‘Make in India’. Discuss.

Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)

• The DTIS would run for the duration of five years and envisages set up six to eight new test facilities in partnership with private industry.
• The scheme has been allocated with an outlay of Rs 400 crore for creating a state of the art testing infrastructure for this sector.
• This will facilitate indigenous defence production, consequently, reduce imports of military equipment and help make the country self-reliant.
• While the majority of test facilities are expected to come up in the two Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs), the Scheme is not limited to setting up Test Facilities in the DICs only.

Funding pattern

• The projects under the Scheme will be provided with up to 75 per cent government funding in the form of ‘Grant-in-Aid’.
• The remaining 25 per cent of the project cost will have to be borne by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) whose constituents will be Indian private entities and State Governments.
• The SPVs under the Scheme will be registered under Companies Act 2013 and shall also operate and maintain all assets under the Scheme, in a self-sustainable manner by collecting user charges.

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