New Delhi, June 5 (IANS): India needs to develop a macro vision for promoting 'Make in India' in defence sector so that it can reach the level of developed nations in defence manufacturing, a senior government official said on Friday.

Speaking at a seminar on Make in India in defence sector organised by industrial chamber FICCI, Joint Secretary, Defence Industrial Promotion, Sanjay Garg, said in the present system, the defence ministry decides what it needs and then issues a request for proposal (RFP), which leaves industry with little time for preparation.

"A macro vision is needed... We need a clarity on how it is going to happen," he said.

"Today companies get to know about the need in defence sector only when the RFP is given. After that they have limited time to respond to the RFP, for augmenting machinery, putting quality system in place..." he said.

"The requirement has to be known at least five to seven years in advance. That is a very important element," said Garg.

He said while on the supply side changes like deregulation and liberalisation have taken place, but "a lot needs to be done on the demand side".

"Everyone is saying make in India, but what is the vision. There is no clarity what to make as far as defence is concerned..." he said.

"Today we are at a stage where defence ministry decides what to procure and they put out an RFP, you produce and supply. In developed countries it is the other way around... The industry develops techonolgy and says you may find it useful. Unless a stong R&D is there, a vision is there, this is not going to happen," he added.

The defence ministry is presently editing its defence procurement procedure to make it in line with the Make in India policy of government, and to ease procurement.