New Delhi: The incoming defence minister will have several major reforms, procurements and appointments to handle in the first few weeks in office, including the selection of the next Army Chief and reforms in the DRDO. A review panel has even suggested that the DRDO be brought under a body chaired by the prime minister. A key area of responsibility will also be to address concerns that have been raised by coalition partners on the Agnipath scheme for the induction of new soldiers into the armed forces.

Sources said that setting up a new defence export promotion body is high on the agenda. The modalities of the new body have been finalised and are in line with the government’s stated goal of boosting exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2028-29. At present, defence exports have touched the Rs 21,000-crore mark.