UPSC-Relevant News Items

1. India and France Sign Pact to Produce Advanced Defense Navigation and Firing Systems

Page: 3

Summary:

• • State-owned India Optel Limited (IOL) and France's Safran Electronics and Defense signed a pact for the technology transfer and production of two high-precision defense systems.
• • The systems involved are the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, crucial for optimizing artillery and anti-drone capabilities.
• • IOL will handle local manufacturing, final assembly, quality control, and full life-cycle support for these systems, meeting the Indian Army's operational requirements.

Additional Facts:

• • The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 facilitates such technology transfer agreements between foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) like IOL under the ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ category, ensuring indigenization and fulfilling the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' mandate.
• • India Optel Limited (IOL) functions as a DPSU under the administrative control of the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence, which provides regulatory oversight and ensures quality control and life-cycle support compliance for indigenously manufactured critical defense systems.

Linkage with UPSC course:

• • GS Mains (GS-3):
• • • Defense Technology and Indigenization
• • • Internal Security (Anti-drone systems)
• • • Self-Reliance in Defense

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