MoD will soon issue RFPs under Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme

• Rs 400 crore outlay to create state-of-the-art testing infrastructure in partnership with the industry
• The Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme was launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in May 2020
• The project consultant/officer can be contacted for clarification, said MoD

New Delhi: In order to provide an equal playing field for the private defence manufacturers and OEMs, the Defence Ministry is soon going to issue requests for proposal (RFPs) to set up eight defence testing facilities in the country in partnership with the private sector, an official statement said issued by the Ministry on Monday.

These RFPs would be issued under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) which was launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in May last year. The DTIS has an outlay of Rs 400 crore.

"The scheme would run for the duration of five years and envisages setting up of 6-8 greenfield defence testing infrastructure facilities that are required for defence and aerospace-related production," the ministry's statement noted.

The RFP is a business document that announces a project, describes it, and invites bids for completing it.

The projects under the scheme will be provided with up to 75 percent government funding in the form of ''grant-in-aid'', it said.

"The remaining 25 percent of the project cost will have to be borne by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) constituents of which will be the Indian private entities and state governments," it mentioned.

"In this regard, Department of Defence Production/Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DDP/DGQA) has published eight Expression of Interest (EOIs) catering to setting up of defence test facilities in selected domains," it said.

The RFP for the defence test facility for selected aid domains will be issued shortly, it added.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)