New Delhi. 26 May, 2016. Composition of the five sub-groups constituted for focused discussions on the strategic partnership model for selected platforms in the defence sector, has been cleared by Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar .
A real step forward in getting the private industry into the decision making process, selection of strategic partners for long term partnership between the ministry of defence and private sector .
The first sub-group for Armoured Fighting Vehicles will be chaired by Col (Retd) H S Shankar, Chairman, FICCI Defence sub-committee on Indian Defence SME and will representatives from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and two star rank officers from the Armoured Division of the Army Headquarters. It will be on platforms including Armoured Fighting Vehicles and their major systems.
The second sub-group to be chaired by Sukaran Singh, Co-Chairman of CII National Committee on Defence will have discussions on platforms. This group will also have participation from DRDO and two star rank officers from Air Head Quarters.
The third sub-group will be for naval platforms including Submarines and their major systems will be chaired by Jayant Damodar Patil, Chairman FICCI Defence Committee and will comprise of representatives from DRDO and two star rank officers from the Naval Head Quarters.
The fourth sub-group will be chaired by Neeraj Gupta, MD, MKU Pvt Ltd and nominee of industry association, ASSOCHAM. It will be for ammunition including smart ammunition and will have DRDO representatives and two star rank officers from the Army HQs.
Fifth sub-group will be for macro process management of issues related to eco-system, technical competence, financial evaluation, weightage to existing infrastructure, commitment of partner for life cycle support and other regulatory matters and will be chaired by Rajinder Bhatia, Co-chairman, CII national Defence Sub-committee on Land Systems and will also comprise of DRDO representatives. This sub-group will have two star rank officers from the service Headquarters (Army, Navy or Airforce).
Though there is no official communication from Ministry of Defence on this , sources in South Block have confirmed that it should be a matter of days before the news becomes public.
