New policies to promote pvt players in defence sector: Antony

NEW DELHI: India has put in place policies to promote private players, especially foreign, participation in its defence sector that will enable technology transfers and setting up production units in the country.“New policies to transform this (defence) sector by actively encouraging all players-whether private or public, Indian or foreign-to play a larger role in defence production through mutually beneficial partnerships, private investment and technology transfers have been put in place,” Defence Minister A K antony said in his message to the organisers of the Berlin Air Show.Antony said overseas companies which “proactively” seek out industrial partners in India “will enjoy advantages in our expanding market” and welcomed the recent commitments made by some European partners to transfer technology to Indian partners and locate production in India.Antony, who would leave for Germany on Sunday to attend the Air show besides meeting his German counterpart Franz Josef Jung, said strong industrial base, sophisticated research and development institutions and a huge domestic market have resulted in a fast growing aviation sector in India.This provides new opportunities for cooperation and strategic alliances between domestic and international partners. “India is harnessing its indigenously developed civilian space technologies as a key multiplier for development,” Antony said.