Defence minister Manohar Parrikar says whoever bags the next big fighter jet deal will have to set up a defence manufacturing facility in India and produce those planes under the proposed strategic partnership model—with no exceptions granted. Under its planned strategic partnership model, India will select private Indian firms to exclusively manufacture military equipment for a specified period. The Indian partner for a multi-billion-dollar single-engine fighter jet deal will be identified through a model prescribed by a government committee, while the foreign partner will be chosen on criteria such as transfer of technology and the financial proposal made by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Parrikar also said: “Some issues need to be addressed in terms of manufacturing after completing the project—how it will be exported? What will be the approvals? What will be the mechanism? We have already put up a small team to go into this issue. Once they come out (with their report) we will finalize it. Everything otherwise is in advance stage”.

(Live Mint)