Ministry of Defence
Year End Review – 2021 of Ministry of Defence
Big boost to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ with induction of MBT Arjun Mk-1A in Army, LCA (Tejas) in IAF, ALH Mk-III in Indian Navy and ICG
Women’s empowerment in Armed Forces; Permanent commission allowed to women officers in Army; Induction of women personnel into Corps of Military Police; NDA to induct women cadets; Sainik schools admit girls
Boost to border infrastructure: Around 100 bridges, roads, tunnels constructed by BRO inaugurated in 2021
India commemorates Swarnim Vijay Varsh remembering valour of Indian Armed Forces and Mukti Jodhas
OFB converted into seven new defence companies to provide autonomy, enhance efficiency & unleash new growth potential while safeguarding interests of all stakeholders
Initiative to expand Sainik Schools Infrastructure with 100 more schools to be opened in partnership with NGOs and private entities
NCC inducted one lakh more cadets in 173 border and coastal districts fulfilling the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
Posted On:
31 DEC 2021 6:35PM by PIB Delhi
Key highlights
Move towards Atmanirbhar Bharat
· Several major initiatives have been launched during the year to make India self-reliant in the field of Defence manufacturing. Atmanirbharta in Defence is aimed at enhancing domestic manufacturing and making the country a net exporter in this field.
· ‘Make in India’ and ‘Armanirbhar Bharat’ have been given a major impetus during planning and procurement of equipment for Indian Army, wherein, there is endeavor to support the emerging defence industry in the Country.
· Induction of LCA (Tejas), Arudhra and Aslesha Radars, Astra Air to Air missile, Akash Surface to Air missile system, Advance Light Helicopter and Light Combat Helicopter etc. systems were added in IAF’s inventory proving IAF’s commitment to the vision of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.
· The MBT ‘Arjun’ Mk-1A was handed over to the Indian Army by Prime Minister on 14 Feb 2021 and Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an order with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for Indian Army on September 23, 2021.
· Advanced Electronic Warfare System ‘Shakti’, designed and developed by Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) Hyderabad a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was handed over to Indian Navy on 19 Nov 2021 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
· Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’ successfully accomplished its maiden sea voyage in August 2021. This milestone with few parallels reinforces confidence in the largest indigenously designed platform of Indian Navy and the resolve of countrymen in our quest for ‘Atmanirbahar Bharat’. Commissioning of Vikrant is being targeted by August 15, 2022.
· INS Visakhapatnam, first ship of Project 15B, was delivered by Mazagon Dock Limited to Indian Navy on October 28, 2021 at Mumbai and commissioned into IN on November 21, 2021 by the Raksha Mantri.
· Two sophisticated and potent platforms Karanj and Vela were commissioned on 10 Mar 21 and 25 Nov 21 respectively, with over 75 percentage of Indigenous content, having State-of-the-art weapon fit to strengthen our security apparatus in the Western Seaboard.
· The forthcoming DefExpo-2022, scheduled to be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 10th to 13th March 2022, is being planned in line with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and the wide expanse of the domestic Defence Manufacturing Industry will be co-opted to showcase India @75.
· Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh handed over five Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed products to the Armed forces and other security agencies at an event held at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi on 14 December 2021, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and iconic week of Ministry of Defence.
· Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh handed over six Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements to seven public and private sector companies. Produc