Recent Reforms in Defence Sector | 08 Jun 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Defence Minister released an E-booklet titled ‘20 Reforms in 2020’ highlighting the major reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020.

Key Points

  • Chief of Defence Staff & Department of Military Affairs:
    • The appointment of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) were among the major decisions taken by the Government.
      • General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the first CDS who also fulfilled the responsibilities of Secretary, DMA.
    • The post of CDS was created to increase efficiency & coordination among the Armed Forces and reduce duplication, while DMA was established to ensure improved civil-military integration.
  • Self-Reliance in Defence:
    • To promoteMake in India in the defence sector, a list of 101 defence items for which there would be an embargo on the import was notified in August 2020, while Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 was unveiled in September 2020.
    • There was a 10% budget increase in 2020-21 over the previous year.
  • Increased Defence Exports:
    • The increased partnership with the private sector has led to a substantial rise in defence exports.
    • The value of total defence exports rose from Rs 1,941 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 9,116 crore in 2019-20. Also, for the first time, India figured in the list of defence equipment exporting nations, as the exports expanded to more than 84 countries.
  • Defence Acquisitions:
    • First five Rafale fighter aircraft arrived in India in July 2020 and several more since then, adding firepower to the arsenal of the Indian Air Force.
  • Reforming Defence R&D:
    • To promote innovation by young minds, five Young Scientists Laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were launched in 2020.
    • DRDO has joined hands with the private sector in design & development and identified 108 Systems & Subsystems for the industry to design, develop and manufacture.
  • Digital Transformation:
  • Strengthening Border Infrastructure:
    • Reforms of processes and workflows within Border Roads Organisation (BRO) enabled it to achieve targets ahead of schedule, in some instances.
    • World’s longest Atal tunnel above 10,000 feet, at Rohtang on the Leh-Manali Highway was inaugurated.
  • Participation of Women in Armed Forces:
  • Reforms in National Cadet Corps :
  • Aid to Civil Administration during Covid-19:
    • The Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces have mobilised resources to aid the civil administration in the fight against Covid-19.
    • DRDO has set up several hospitals to treat Covid patients across the states, passed on technology expertise to the private sector for mass production of covid related medicines and equipment.
  • Help beyond Boundaries:
    • The Armed Forces extended a helping hand to the countries in distress. Indian Navy mounted eight relief missions during 2020-21.
    • Besides evacuating stranded Indians from Iran, Sri Lanka and Maldives under Vande Bharat Mission, Indian Naval ships provided Covid-19 medical relief to five countries.
    • INS Airavat provided 270 MT food aid to Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea struck by natural calamities.
    • The Indian Coast Guard led the rescue operation to save the Sri Lanka coast from its biggest oil spill.

Source:PIB