New Delhi:
The Defense Ministry on Friday approved the procurement of several weapon systems and platforms, including the Dhruvastra short-range air-to-surface missile and 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 45,000 crore.
A total of nine tender proposals have been approved by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, officials said.
“All these purchases will be made from Indian suppliers in the Buy (Indian-Indigenably Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDMM)/Buy (Indian) category, which will provide a substantial boost to the Indian defense industry towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” the Defense Ministry said.
To enhance the protection, mobility, offensive capability and survivability of mechanized forces, the DAC has approved the procurement of Light Armored Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S), the ministry said in a statement declaration.
The approved DAC also authorized the procurement of High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles for rapid mobilization and deployment of artillery guns and radars.
The DAC further approved the procurement of next generation research vessels for the Indian Navy, the ministry said.
It said a proposal by the Indian Air Force to provide avionic upgrade of Dornier aircraft to improve accuracy and reliability for operations also received Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). The AoN is the initial approval.
“The procurement of the Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile as a powerful indigenous precision-guided weapon for indigenously built ALH Mk-IV helicopters has been approved by the DAC,” the ministry said.
“The AoN for procurement of 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft with associated equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was also awarded,” the report said.
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