In order to acquire 1,868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks (RTFLT) for the Indian military, the Ministry of Defense inked agreements with ACE Limited and JCB India Limited on February 20, 2025. The Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy will spend a total of ₹697.35 crore on the purchase of rough terrain forklift trucks. RK Singh, the defense secretary, was present when the contract was signed.
The Ministry of Defence claims that the Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck (RTFLT) is essential equipment that will improve the operational performance of the Indian armed forces by assisting with logistics support and combat tasks by eliminating the need for manual handling. Through the production of components, the initiative will support the MSME sector and create both direct and indirect job possibilities. The purchase updates India’s
The “Buy Indian” directive will improve the country’s capacity to manufacture defense equipment. In order to advance self-reliance in defense manufacturing, the government has implemented policies and reforms that encourage domestic design, development, and production of defense equipment.
India’s defense exports increased 32.5% from ₹15,920 crore in the previous fiscal year to a record ₹21,083 crore (about USD 2.63 billion) in the fiscal year 2023–2024. Compared to 2013–14, defense exports have climbed 31 times in the last ten years, and India’s defense manufacturing value rose 17% to ₹126,887 crore in the most recent fiscal year.
