The Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) is an inter- service organisation which functions under the Department of Defence Production and Supplies in the Ministry of Defence. It handles all aspects of quality assurance management of equipment from conceptual stage till they are discarded from service. It provides consultancy to the Armed Forces in formulation of qualitative requirements, conduct of trials during development, finalisation of specification/drawings, selection and accreditation of vendors, formulation of quality plans and process schedules, quality audit and surveillance during production and final acceptance of equipment on behalf of the users. DGQA is also responsible for indigenisation of different equipment of imported origin as well as those which are newly developed by DRDO.

The process of indigenisation poses a challenge to DGQA and the prospective manufacturers alike. In a large number of cases, due to non-availability of drawings and specifications, the DGQA is not only required to qualify to the design but also identify suitable raw materials to be used. The components, spares, sub-assemblies and assemblies must with- stand rigorous test parameters which simulate actual conditions of use. This warrants a high standard of quality and reliability. For licensed production where technical backup data is available, sophisticated and the state-of-the-art plant and machinery is sometimes to be developed, imported and installed. Most of such efforts would eventually find alternate uses in the civil sector, but entrepreneurs often shy away due to seemingly uneconomical quantities. New indigenous designs and developments pose even greater challenges, particularly in the field of missiles where the know-how is not available from the developed countries due to political and strategic considerations.

The indigenisation activity is primarily carried out by DRDO, DGFO, Defence PSUs and the technical committees which are located in Delhi. To encourage participation by vendors, Vendor Advisory Cells are located at Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur, Jabalpur, Pune and other places. In addition, the DGQA closely interacts with the apex bodies of the industry such as CII and FICCI to elicit participation of entrepreneurs in indigenisation efforts. The intending vendors may seek registration and become eligible for subsequent participation in the enquiries. For this purpose, exhibition-cum-workshops are organised periodically.