Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Utilisation of MoD Proof Ranges, Field Firing Ranges & Test Facilities by Indian Defence Industry. The revised SOP provides for a detailed and simplified procedure for allotment and utilisation of MoD proof ranges and laboratory testing facilities, along with requisite formats.

The key features of the revised SOP are as follows:

• Proof/testing charges have been waived for iDEX, TDF, Make and other developmental projects of the Ministry of Defence, to promote 'Atmanirbharta in Defence'.
• The SOP lists the Proof Ranges, Field Firing Ranges and Laboratory Test Facilities available with DRDO, Government Quality Assurance agencies and the three Services for utilisation by the Indian defence industry.
• The procedure for calculation and payment of proof/testing charges, wherever applicable, has been incorporated in the SOP, thereby simplifying the documentation and process for industry.
• The provision for Arbitration in the existing SOP has been replaced with a simpler and industry-friendly Conciliation Agreement Clause, to facilitate Ease of Doing Business through faster resolution of issues faced by the indigenous defence industry.
• A three-day slot per quarter has been reserved at Proof Ranges for proof firing of developmental projects sponsored by the Government, including iDEX, TDF, Make and other developmental projects of the Ministry of Defence, as well as developmental projects undertaken under the own initiative of the indigenous defence industry.

The revised SOP aims to provide simpler, transparent and industry-friendly access to proof ranges, field firing ranges and test facilities. It incorporates various Government initiatives aimed at facilitating indigenisation, innovation and defence exports, besides providing proof and test support to developmental projects undertaken by the Indian defence industry.