In a major reform in defence procurement, the Indian Army has executed its first-ever capital procurement contract through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
The contract involves the procurement of 93 Telescopic Handlers under the Buy (Indian) category from JCB India Limited at a total cost of ₹25.90 crore. This marks a landmark shift towards digital, transparent, and efficient defence acquisition.
Procurement Details
| Parameter | Details |
| Platform | Government e-Marketplace (GeM) |
| Equipment | Telescopic Handlers |
| Quantity | 93 |
| Cost | ₹25.90 crore |
| Procurement Category | Buy (Indian) |
| Vendor | JCB India Limited |
Significance of Initiative
1. Transformation in Defence Procurement
- First use of GeM for capital acquisition
- Shift from traditional procurement to digital platforms
- Ensures procedural integrity with speed
2. Faster Procurement Process
- Expected to compress timelines significantly
- Reduces bureaucratic delays
- Enables quick availability of critical equipment
3. Transparency & Efficiency
- Use of technology-driven platform
- Enhances:
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Cost-effectiveness
4. Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat
- Promotes indigenous procurement (Buy Indian category)
- Encourages domestic industry participation
- Strengthens defence manufacturing ecosystem
Operational Importance of Telescopic Handlers
- Used for:
- Material handling in difficult terrains
- Logistics operations in diverse environments
- Benefits:
- Reduces manual labour
- Improves efficiency and speed
- Enhances logistics capability of Army
Broader Defence Modernisation Push
- Ministry of Defence (Feb 2025):
- Contracts signed with: ACE Limited and JCB India Limited
- Procurement: 1,868 Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks (RTFLT)
- Total cost: ₹697.35 crore
Indicates a wider push toward modernization of engineering logistics
About Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
The Government e-Marketplace is India’s national digital procurement portal for government departments, PSUs, and organizations.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
| Launch Basis | Recommendation of Group of Secretaries |
| Purpose | Online procurement of goods & services |
| Origin | Transformation of DGS&D into digital platform |
| Development Time | ~5 months |
| Tools | E-bidding, reverse e-auction, demand aggregation |
| Objective | Transparency, efficiency, cost optimization |
Key Advantages of GeM in Defence Procurement
- Ensures optimal value for money
- Enables competitive pricing
- Facilitates ease of doing business for vendors
- Reduces human intervention and delays