New Delhi, Feb 15 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday offered the private industry and foreign companies partnership in the critical technologies in the Defence sector and said that India is becoming an outsourcing hub for the Defence industry.

Inaugurating the 6th Defence Expo India 2010 here today, Antony said the government is committed to the modernization of the Armed Forces.

Antony said, “We have made Defence Procurement Procedures transparent and to speed up the Defence acquisition process.”

“We will soon publish the ‘Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap’, covering a period of 15 years, to share the future needs of our Armed Forces,” Antony added.

Minister of State for Defence, MM Pallam Raju, who was also present on the occasion, said the new category of ‘Buy and Make Indian’ introduced in the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) - 2009 will facilitate Transfer of Technology.

“Defence acquisition needs are now being published with a 15 year future perspective on the Defence Ministry’s website. The Request for Information (RFI) has been made mandatory for all acquisition cases, Raju said.

“As a result of the steps that have been taken by the Government in the recent past to reform the Indian Defence Sector, the atmosphere in India is now conducive for attracting more and more investments in Defence R&D,” he added.

Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar Singh said that the growth of the private Defence Industry has been encouraging since it was opened to the Private sector in 2001.

“Contracts worth over 8,000 crores have been signed since the offset policy was introduced in the Defence acquisitions,” he added.

Joint Secretary (Electronics) Satyajeet Rajan, who wrapped up the proceedings on the occasion, said that more than ten products are expected to be launched during the exposition.

Defence Expo India 2010 is an endeavour to showcase India’s capabilities in land and naval systems, as well as its emergence as an attractive destination for investment in defence sector. Defence Expo 2010 provides ample opportunities to all the participants to display their latest technologies and products. It also helps them tap the market and business potential for mutual benefit. (ANI)