Flashback 2015: Chanting Make in India mantra, MoD marches ahead

New Delhi, Dec 23: Year 2015 for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was an action-packed one. The government finally announced the One Rank One Pension (OROP) amidst protests by retired defence service personnel gaining momentum. Justice L Narasimha Reddy was appointed to head judicial committee to look into the implementation of OROP.

The year also saw another crucial announcement of the 7th Central Pay Commission's recommendations being implemented, providing hike in the pay and allowances of Service personnel.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) met a record number of times in 2015, since its inception in October 2001, and proposals worth over Rs 2 lakh crore were cleared in 2015.

The government grabbed the 10th edition of Aero India held in Bengaluru as the first opportunity in the year to spell out its vision on Make in India to a global audience.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that if India needs to grow, then the country should turn the tables, and not end up as world's largest defence importer.

The year saw an unassuming, yet proactive Defence Minister in Manohar Parrikar settling down at the helm of affairs. It also saw a new Defence Secretary in G Mohan Kumar taking charge in the second quarter of the year.

Here is how 2015 panned out for various stakeholders of Indian defence, collated from the annual performance dossier released by MoD.

Indian Army's modernisation drive picks up momentum

* Army's proposal to buy 145 BAE's M777 Ultra-Light howitzers at a cost of Rs 2,900 crore cleared.

* Home-grown Akash Weapon System inducted into the Indian Army in May 2015.

* Expression of Interest for the Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle project issued to 10 public and private Indian companies.

* National War Memorial to be set up in honour of defence forces' personnel near India Gate. A war museum will also be constructed.

* Construction work for Indian National Defence University (INDU) at Binola near Gurgaon begins.

* A special software system for Army; Record Officers Process Automation (ARPAN) 2.0, launched.

* Army recruitment goes online from July and a new recruitment website (www.joinindianarmy.nic.in) launched.

Many assets join Indian Navy

* Request for Proposal to acquire six more conventional submarines under Project 75(I) was cleared at a cost of around Rs 80,000 crore.

* Go ahead to procure 12 Mine Counter Measures Vessels for which Accord of Necessities issued and nominated Goa Shipyard Limited to process the case with TOT from abroad.

* To induct 16 Multi-Role Helicopters (MRH) for the Navy to bolster the Air Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.

* INS Visakhapatnam -- first ship of Project-15B Guided Missile Destroyer , christened was launched on April 20, 2015 at Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai.

* Sardar Patel, latest naval establishment in Gujarat commissioned at Porbandar.

* Under Project-28, INS Kavarattithe fourth in the series of Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette launched.

* INS Vajrakosh - the latest establishment of the Indian Navy at Karwar commissioned.

* Indigenously designed and constructed Project 15A (Kolkata Class) Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer INS Kochi commissioned.

* First ship of the Scorpene Class submarine INS Kalvari separated from the pontoon and set afloat at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai.

* For the first time, Combined Commanders' Conference held on board INS Vikramaditya off Kochi.

Order for 36 Rafale aircraft tops IAF's menu

* Received the first Series Production aircraft in IOC configuration.

* First upgraded Mirage 2000 aircraft inducted.

* Upgrade of MiG-29s series in full swing at Base Repair Depot.

* Procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft through Inter Governmental Agreement.

* Contract signed in September 2015 for procurement of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters with deliveries commencing in 2019.

* Contract inked for procurement of Chinook CH-47F (I) Heavy Lift Helicopters.

* All Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) - PC-7 MK II as per the contract received in October 2015.

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