Open arms

The defence ministry's decision, taken at the meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) earlier this month, to allow the Indian private sector to participate in the bidding for artillery guns is a welcome step. But it should have come years ago. There was no convincing rationale for the MoD's practice of trusting foreign private arms manufacturers with its armament details, while continuing to exclude domestic private firms. That's set to change with the army's plans for upgunning 300 of its 130 mm M-46 field guns.

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