The defence ministry has halted an order placed for logistics drones which were to be used by the Army along the borders with China after Intelligence agencies raised concerns about Chinese components being used in drones developed by some of the Indian defence companies.
According to a report in The Print, the Army, along with the defence ministry, are coming up with an “appropriate methodology” to ensure that there are no Chinese components in equipment used by the defence forces.
“Self-certification is one of the methods. Deliberations are on. We are working with Department of Defence Production, MoD, and appropriate methodology of identifying this will come into effect,” The Print quoted a defence personnel as saying.
An order placed with Dhaksha Unmanned Systems for 200 drones have been put on hold amid reports that the firm is using Chinese components in their unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The usage of Chinese components in defence equipment for India comes with major risks, including the transfer of data.
A few days ago, the Department of Defence Production (DDP), in a letter to industry bodies, including the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, FICCI, and Assocham, cautioned against private defence companies using Chinese parts. The letter had specifically named companies like Garuda Aerospace, Dhaksha Unmanned Systems and Sky Industries that supply drones to defence forces.
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"All the Industry associations are hereby requested to sensitize their members engaged in defence manufacturing to exercise caution while procuring defence items from said three companies and remain vigilant while procuring from other players in this field," the letter had stated.