NEW DELHI: The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion ( DIPP ) has granted permission to 19 private companies to manufacture a range of defence products, adding to a slew of such clearances by the Modi government and strengthening its ‘ Make in India ’ initiative.The biggest gainer in the latest round is Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd, the defence arm of Bharat Forge . The Pune-based company, that develops artillery systems for the army, has got permits to make 13 new types of products.These range from manufacture, maintenance and overhaul of torpedoes, missiles and mines to large platforms such as tanks, off road military vehicles and hovercrafts. Other permits include manufacturing of simulators for the armed forces and ammunition and fuze setting devices.Several relatively unknown players too have managed to grab permits, including Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd which has given an address of Bhind in Madhya Pradesh. The company was granted industrial licences for assembling electronic warfare systems, radars and the design, development and manufacturing of aircraft, including choppers.The company also wants to manufacture and upgrade tanks and combat vehicles, besides armoured and protective systems. Other companies that have managed to get defence manufacturing permits includes Narendra Explosive Ltd from UP’s Saharanpur, Noida-based OIS Aerospace and Gurgaon-centered Metaltech Motor Bodies Ltd.The Modi government has been granting licences to the private sector quite generously, with a record number of clearances since last year. With defence as a chosen sector for the Make in India drive, licences that had been pending for over four years have been granted to private firms, including major players such as Tata, Mahindra and Punj Lloyd