"Make in India: Govt’s defence purchases from micro, small enterprises hit record high, shows govt

Defence procurement from micro and small enterprises (MSEs) hit a record high during the financial year 2021-22, showed government data. Purchase of general goods and services from MSEs including SC/ST and women-owned units during the year increased 33.8 per cent to Rs 5,760 crore from Rs 4,303 crore in FY21. In comparison to pre-Covid, FY22 procurement jumped 79.7 per cent from Rs 3,204 crore during FY20 amid the government’s aim to enhance self-reliance in defence production by promoting local defence manufacturing units including MSEs. The total value of Indian defence exports during FY22 reached Rs 12,815 crore vis-a-vis Rs 8,435 crore in FY21 and Rs 9,116 crore in FY20.

Sharing data in the Rajya Sabha on Monday in a written reply to a question on defence purchases from MSMEs, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said MSMEs are important partners in the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) projects and DRDO transfers technologies to them.

Read more at Financial Express