Major boost for Indian armed forces as Defence Ministry approves projects worth Rs 79,000 crore

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, today okayed proposals worth Rs 79,000 crore to buy new warships, missile systems, high mobility vehicles, naval surface guns and other equipment for its armed forces, the Ministry of Defence said.

The DAC okayed what is called Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) — the first step of the procurement process.

The DAC gave an AoN for the Indian Navy for procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPD), which can undertake amphibious operations along with Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The integrated sea capability provided by LPD — that can land troops, tanks and vehicles at shore without the need of berthing at a jetty — will be a  major addition to Naval power.

The DAC also okayed a 30mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG), Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWT), Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System and Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.

The induction of ALWT, which is indigenously developed by Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, DRDO, is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear and midget submarines. The procurement of 30mm NSG will enhance the capability of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to conduct Low Intensity Maritime Operations & anti-piracy roles.

For the Army, the DAC accorded an AoN for the procurement of Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES) and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) with Material Handling Crane. The procurement of NAMIS (Tracked) will enhance the Indian Army’s capability of neutralising enemy’s combat vehicles, bunkers and other field fortifications, whereas GBMES will provide round-the-clock Electronic Intelligence of enemy emitters. The induction of HMVs will significantly improve logistic support to the forces in diverse geographical terrains.

For the Indian Air Force, AoN was accorded for Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) and other proposals. The CLRTS/DS has the capability of autonomous take-off, landing, navigating, detecting and delivering payload in the mission area.