ARMS PROCUREMENT WORTH RS 29,000 CR APPROVED

The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday cleared arms procurement worth over Rs 28,732 crore for the Armed Forces, including armed swarm drones, carbines, and bulletproof jackets.

The proposals were approved in a meeting of the DefenceAcquisition Council headed by DefenceMinister Rajnath Singh.

The DefenceMinistry said in a statement, “Acceptance of Necessity for Capital Acquisition Proposals of the Armed Forces amounting to Rs 28,732 crore were accorded by the DAC in this meeting under Buy (Indian IDDM) and Buy (Indian) categories giving a further boost to ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in Defence.”

The ministry cleared proposal for bulletproof jackets with enhanced protection against the threat of enemy snippers to our troops deployed along the LoC & in close combat operations in counter-terrorism ops, the ministry said.

Approval was also given for the induction of around 4 lakh Close Quarter Battle Carbines for the services. The ministry said the induction will help combat complex paradigm of conventional and hybrid warfare and counter-terrorism at the LAC and Eastern Borders.

“This is set to provide a major impetus to the small arms manufacturing industry in India and enhancing Atma Nirbharta in small arms,” the statement said.

“In the recent conflicts across the world, drone technology proved to be a force multiplier in military operations. Accordingly, to augment the Indian Army’s capability in modern warfare, Acceptance of Necessity for procurement of Autonomous Surveillance and Armed Drone Swarms has been accorded by the DAC under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category,” it said.

“DAC also approved the Navy’s proposal to procure an upgraded 1250KW capacity marine gas turbine generator for power generation application on board Kolkata class of ships through Indian Industry. This will give a major boost to the indigenous manufacturing of gas turbine generators,” it said.

“In order to enhance the security in the coastal region of our country, DAC also approved the proposal of procurement of 14 fast patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) with 60% IC.”