In a major boost to the Indian Armed Forces, the Defence Acquisition Council, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved various proposals of the services amounting to a total of about Rs 79,000 crore during a meeting at South Block here on Thursday.
In a statement issued here, the Defence Minister provided a detailed break-up of the contract, stating that for the Indian Army, Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been accorded for the procurement of the 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 combat vehicles, bunkers, and other field fortifications, while GBMES will provide round-the-clock Electronic Intelligence on enemy emitters. The induction of HMVs will significantly improve logistic support to the forces in diverse geographical terrains.
For the Indian Navy, AoN was granted for the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPD), 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 procurement of LPDs will help the Indian Navy to undertake amphibious operations along with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
The integrated sea capability provided by LPD will also help the Indian Navy to undertake peacekeeping operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, etc. The induction of ALWT, which is indigenously developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory of DRDO, is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear, and midget submarines. The procurement of 30mm NSG will enhance the capability of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to conduct Low Intensity Maritime Operations and anti-piracy roles.
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.