New Delhi: There has been considerable rise in the contracts given to indigenous vendors in defence sector touching 75.03 per cent in 2019-20 from 39.06 per cent in 2015-16, Rajya Sabha was told on March 16.

Replying to a question, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said that up to January 31 this year for the 2019-20 indigenous manufacturers got contracts worth Rs 57,834.89 crore while in 2015-16 (Rs 47,877.29 crore), 2016-17 (Rs 94,559.53 crore), 2017-18 (Rs 40,690.97 crore) and 2018-19 (Rs 80,413.56 crore).

During the last five years 2015-16 to 2019-20 (up to January, 2020), 158 contracts have been signed with Indian vendors and 100 contracts were signed with foreign vendors for capital procurement of defence equipment for Armed Forces, the Minister said.

The defence equipment procured from Indian vendors over the last five years includes Helicopters, Radars, Electronic Fuzes, Bridges, Ballistic Helmets, Bullet Proof Jackets, TI Sights, Rocket launchers and Vehicles.

The defence equipment procured from foreign vendors over the last five years includes Helicopters, Aircraft, Search and Rescue Equipment, ULH, Air Defence Radars and Systems, Assault Rifles and Rockets.

Over 200 partnerships involving Signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), Transfer of Technology (ToT) and product launches were concluded during DefExpo 2020.

These include 14 MoUs signed at the Fifth India-Russia Military Industrial Conference between Russian defence companies and Indian companies under the framework of Inter Government Agreement (IGA) between the two countries. The signing of MoUs/ToTs are a step in the direction to achieve the target of Rs 35,000 crore defence exports target in next five years.

This edition received unprecedented response with 1000+ exhibitors, 35+ Foreign Defence Ministers and over 12 lakh visitors.