Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) - Key Aspects, Objectives and Importance

Key Aspects of the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme

• Objective of the Scheme:
  • The primary goal of the scheme is to encourage indigenous defence production, with a particular emphasis on the involvement of MSMEs and Start-Ups to fill the gaps in the country's defence testing infrastructure.
  • This scheme also aims at the development of a manufacturing base for the Defence and Aerospace sector to reduce reliance on imports, a top-priority task under the country's Make in India campaign.
  • One of the other objectives of the scheme is to establish 6-8 Greenfield Defence Testing Infrastructure facilities.
• Funding and Finance:
  • The government has announced an outlay of Rs 400 crore for creating state-of-the-art testing infrastructure during the five years of the scheme.
  • The Defence Testing Infrastructure (DTI) will receive 75% government funding, and the remaining 25% shall be borne by the implementation agencies (Special Purpose Vehicles – Under Companies Act 2013), the state government, or Indian private entities.
  • Government funding will be provided in the form of 'Grant-In Aid' and cannot exceed 75% of the total cost. Whereas for implementation agencies, the share cannot exceed 40%.
• Need for DTIS:
  • India lacks easily accessible state-of-the-art testing infrastructure, and this scheme is designed to address this gap.
  • The Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to the private sector for setting up Testing and Certification facilities for manufacturers of defence equipment/systems.
• Other Related Facts:
  • The government has also announced the establishment of Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu under this scheme.
  • Each DTI will be set up through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
  • The Implementation Agency under the Scheme will be a Section 8 company registered under the Companies Act, 2013.
  • A DTI Screening Committee (DTISC) will be established for approval of the projects, and it will be the final authority to take a decision on the proposals submitted by the Implementation Agency.

The Path Ahead

Defence is the linchpin of a country's security. Therefore, advancements in defence facilities are an integral part of nation-building. In recent years, with the appointment of the first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in 2020, followed by the 20 defence reforms formulated by the MOD, significant strides are being made towards the nation's growth.

With the implementation of the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme, the government aims to establish a stronghold in the manufacturing and production sector of defence facilities to make the country self-reliant, thereby reducing its dependency on imports. This scheme also echoes the Prime Minister’s campaign of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat .

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