Revised SOP eases defence industry access to proof ranges, test facilities
The Indian Defence Ministry has released a revised Standard Operating Procedure to simplify industry access to government-owned testing and proofing facilities. The update includes fee waivers for developmental projects and replaces arbitration with a conciliation process to speed up issue resolution.
Why it matters
This policy change is a key component of India's 'atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) initiative, aiming to lower barriers for startups and private firms in the defense sector.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for utilisation of Defence Ministry proof ranges, field firing ranges and laboratory testing facilities by the Indian defence industry, with proof and testing charges waived for several government-backed developmental projects.
According to the Defence Ministry, the revised SOP aims to simplify and streamline access to testing infrastructure for indigenous defence companies, startups and innovators, and is expected to support the government’s push for “atmanirbharta” (self-reliance) in defence, innovation and defence exports.
Under the revised procedure, proof and testing charges have been waived for iDEX, Technology Development Fund (TDF), Make and other developmental projects of the Defence Ministry. A three-day slot every quarter has also been reserved at proof ranges for proof firing of government-sponsored developmental projects, including iDEX, TDF and Make projects.
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