India approves $22.27b military procurements
The Defence Acquisition Council cleared purchases across the army, navy and air force, with about 82% of the equipment to be sourced from domestic industry.
India's Defence Acquisition Council has approved military procurements worth 2.12 trillion rupees ($22.27 billion), including helicopters, air defence systems and long-range drones, as the country seeks to strengthen the operational and combat capabilities of its armed forces.
The approvals cover equipment for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, including very short-range air defence systems, counter-drone systems, surveillance and strike systems, the Defence Ministry said in a statement today (26 October).
About 82% of the approved procurements will be sourced from Indian industry, the ministry added.
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For the Indian Army, the council n in approved the procurement of high-mobility vehicles and self-propelled tracked gun systems.
The high-mobility vehicles are expected to improve operational mobility, logistical support and movement across challenging terrain, while the tracked gun systems will provide greater mobility and firepower to army units.
Long-range drones will be used by both the army and the air force for reconnaissance, surveillance, combat, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The council also cleared very short-range air defence systems to counter emerging threats from small aerial platforms, along with counter-unmanned aircraft systems to strengthen defence against drones. Surveillance and strike systems are expected to enhance the army's monitoring and targeting capabilities.
For the Indian Navy, approval was given to procure Active Offboard Decoy Systems (AODS) and other key naval platforms.
The decoy systems are intended to strengthen protection against incoming missiles, particularly advanced anti-ship missiles, while the indigenously designed and manufactured naval platforms will enhance the navy's combat capabilities.
The Indian Air Force received clearance to procure helicopters, air defence systems, weapons and a mobile X-band Doppler weather radar system.
The special utility helicopters will help meet critical air transportation requirements, while the weather radar system will provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas, the ministry said.
