Highlights
India has given in-principle approval to military procurement proposals worth nearly Rs52,000 crore to strengthen the combat capabilities of its armed forces.
The approvals were granted today (3 July) by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the country's highest defence procurement body, at a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
According to India's Ministry of Defence, the approved acquisitions are part of the country's ongoing military modernisation programme and cover requirements of the army, navy and air force.
For the Indian Army, the DAC approved the procurement of anti-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) electronic warfare systems, man-portable anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM) systems, medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) systems, very short-range air defence systems (V-SHORADS), active protection systems for tanks and jet-powered kamikaze drone systems.
The ministry said the anti-UAV electronic warfare systems would strengthen the army's ability to counter hostile drones, while the MPATGM systems would enhance infantry capabilities against armoured threats.
The MRSAM system is intended to improve protection against a range of aerial threats, while the V-SHORADS platform, equipped with multi-spectral sensing technology, is expected to improve air defence resilience against countermeasures.
The active protection system is designed to enhance the survivability of tanks by improving their defensive capabilities, while the jet-powered kamikaze drones are expected to provide greater strike capability and improved electronic warfare performance.
For the Indian Navy, the council approved the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM), Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS) and the establishment of a land-based testing facility for electric propulsion systems.
The Defence Ministry said the mines are intended to restrict an adversary's freedom of manoeuvre, while the shipborne unmanned aerial systems will improve the navy's surveillance and situational awareness.
The Indian Air Force also received approval to procure a fixed-wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite platform, which will be used for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), telecommunications and remote sensing missions.
India / Defence Minister Rajnath Singh / Indian Army / Navy
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