Update: India to ban imports of 101 defence products

India, one of the world’s biggest defence importers, has announced a ban on procuring more than 100 military products from foreign suppliers.

The new policy – announced on 9 August – is aligned with a government campaign to achieve self-reliance and is intended to “apprise India’s defence industry about anticipated requirements… so that they are better prepared to realise the goal of indigenisation”, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

The new ‘import embargo list’ features 101 defence products, most of which have either been developed locally or are currently in development stages. The list has emphasis mainly on land and sea-based equipment including artillery, armoured vehicles, destroyers, submarines, and a range of related components.

India’s new list of banned imported defence products includes light combat helicopters, reflecting Indian firm Hindustan Aeronautics’ recent development of a similar platform (pictured). (HAL)

However, the list also includes some air platforms – such as light combat aircraft and light combat helicopters – that are currently being produced by Indian defence firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It also features some advanced technologies – including electronic warfare systems and air-to-air missiles – that would be integrated on to these platforms.

The MoD said the banned list will be “progressively implemented” over the next few years. Accordingly, the list identifies items that will be barred for import from December 2020 (69 products), December 2021 (11 products), and December 2022 (21 products). The MoD added that the embargo list would be expanded progressively.