On Friday, the Ministry of Defence granted approval for the procurement of military equipment amounting to Rs 84,560 crore, a move aimed at enhancing the overall combat capabilities of the Armed Forces. These procurement proposals were greenlit by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the helm.
The endorsed proposals encompass a spectrum of military assets, including next-generation anti-tank mines, air defence tactical control radar, heavyweight torpedoes, medium-range maritime reconnaissance, and multi-mission maritime aircraft, among others. This substantial investment is geared towards fortifying the nation's defence capabilities.
In a statement released by the Defence Ministry, it was announced that the DAC has given the nod for the acquisition of new aircraft and equipment for both the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, intending to bolster their surveillance and interdiction capacities in the expansive sea regions of the country.
Specifically, the DAC approved the procurement of Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft. These acquisitions are poised to augment the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard's capabilities in monitoring and interdicting potential threats in maritime domains. According to information from Reuters, the statement issued by the government pointed to the maritime surveillance variant of the C-295 aircraft, manufactured by Airbus. These aircraft are slated for production in Spain and India.
Additionally, the Defence Ministry greenlit the acquisition of a system designed for engaging distant and non-visible targets, along with a radar system aimed at enhancing air defence capabilities against slow, small, and low-flying threats. The procurement also involves advanced sonar technology for naval ships, facilitating the detection of submarines from considerable distances, thereby ensuring preparedness against potential threats.
The Defence Ministry's release highlighted specific aspects of the approved acquisitions, such as the Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Munition System, which falls under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, intended to enhance the operational efficiency of Mechanised Forces in engaging targets Beyond Visual Line of Sight. The release further emphasized the approval for the procurement of Air Defence Tactical Control Radar under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, a measure aimed at reinforcing air defence systems.
In the pursuit of staying one step ahead of potential threats posed by adversaries, the Defence Ministry has also sanctioned the acquisition of Active Towed Array Sonar, designed to operate at low frequencies and various depths, enabling long-range detection of submarines and enhancing the vigilance of Indian Naval Ships.
