India Authorises Export of Defence Products to 42 Countries: Naik

Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik confirmed earlier this week that the government has sanctioned companies to export military equipment to 42 countries across the globe, including Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Sweden.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the minister also said that the country’s defence ex[ports have increased significantly in the last two years from Rs. 1,521 crore in FY 2016-17 to Rs. 10,745 crore in the fiscal year 2018-19.

He further revealed that 79 companies have invested more than Rs, 1,843 crore via the foreign direct investment or FDI route in the defence and aerospace sectors after 2014.

The 42 countries for which India has received “export authorisation” include Finland, Germany, Australia, Israel, USA, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia among others.

Defence companies in India have also been permitted to by the government to export bomb suppression blankets, helmets, soft armour panels, and cartridges to Germany, said Naik.

The Indian government has also given its authorisation to export passive night vision devices to Finland; and export mine protected vehicles, over-vests, helmets, soft armour panels and civil helicopter protection equipment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Power supply, bulk memory control card are among the other things that are permitted to export to Sri Lanka from India, said Naik.

Radar distribution cards, amplifiers and spare parts for radar systems are among the devices that have been authorised for export to Singapore, he said.

The minister added that "defence exports in the country have grown seven-fold in the last two years from Rs 1,521 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 10,745 crore in 2018-19".