Going intact with its commitment to boost domestic defence production, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has now come up with a policy to seek more participation of Indian firms to manufacture ‘technical textiles’ to the armed forces, reports the New Indian Express.

The new policy has been given the go-ahead during a meeting in Mumbai, held by the Ministry of Commerce and attended by Army, said a senior Army officer. Talks are going on to promulgate similar policies for other areas as well.

The policy implementation includes high altitude inner clothing, three-layered gloves, multi-purpose boots, snow boots, crampons and sleeping bags and similar products that are made of unique textile.

“The tenders related to the products up to the value of Rs 50 lakh will go to an Indian company giving the lowest bid,” the officer said.

Even foreign manufacturers will be given a chance to take part in the tendering process. If the foreign vendor bags the contracts, they have to ensure that the source at least 50 per cent of the product related components from Indian manufacturers.