ENA Sectors 2025-02-21 12:48:56 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Feb 21 (KNN)</strong> The Ministry of Defence has finalised contracts worth Rs 697.35 crore for the acquisition of 1,868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks (RTFLT), marking a significant advancement in India's defence procurement strategy. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The equipment, designated for deployment across the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, will enhance operational capabilities by streamlining combat and logistics support operations through automated materials handling.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This procurement initiative, executed under the Buy Indian category, represents a strategic move to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing capabilities. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, particularly within the MSME sector, through the development of component manufacturing ecosystems. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">According to the Defence Ministry, this investment aligns with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, demonstrating a commitment to indigenous defence production.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The transformation in India's defence manufacturing landscape is evidenced by remarkable growth figures, with domestic defence production reaching Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This represents a substantial increase of 174 percent from Rs 46,429 crore in 2014-15. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The sector has witnessed a paradigm shift from its historical dependence on imports, which previously accounted for 65-70 percent of defence equipment, to achieving approximately 65 percent domestic manufacturing capability.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Further strengthening this indigenous momentum, state-owned enterprises like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are poised for technological advancement through international collaboration. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">A forthcoming agreement between India and the United States will enable HAL to manufacture advanced GE engines for military aircraft, showcasing the growing sophistication of India's defence manufacturing capabilities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The government's strategic focus on boosting domestic defence production has resulted in expanding order books for Indian defence equipment manufacturers, indicating positive growth prospects for the sector. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This latest RTFLT procurement reinforces the ministry's commitment to modernising India's defence infrastructure while simultaneously promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em><br /> </p> 41152 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/defence-ministry-seals-rs-697-cr-deal-for-1868-rough-terrain-fork-lift-trucks 2025-02-21 12:48:56 knnindia.co.in