India to procure new missiles, ships and surveillance systems worth Rs 79,000 crore

The Defence Ministry on Thursday (October 24) approved procurement proposals worth Rs 79,000 crore to enhance the capabilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The proposals were cleared at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is the second major procurement decision following Operation Sindoor. Earlier, on August 5, the government had approved projects worth Rs 67,000 crore.

According to the ministry, the DAC approved various projects amounting to around Rs 79,000 crore.

For the Indian Navy, approvals were given for the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), 30-mm Naval Surface Guns (NSGs), Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWTs), Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track Systems, and Smart Ammunition for the 76-mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.

The procurement of LPDs will enable the Navy to carry out amphibious operations jointly with the Army and the Air Force. LPDs are amphibious warfare ships capable of carrying helicopters, vehicles, tanks and troops.

The Navy plans to procure at least four such vessels. The ministry said these ships will also strengthen the Navy’s capacity to undertake peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief operations.

“The induction of ALWT, which is indigenously developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, DRDO is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear and midget submarines,” the ministry said.

The 30-mm NSGs are expected to boost the Navy’s and Coast Guard’s ability to conduct low-intensity maritime operations and anti-piracy missions.

For the Indian Army, the DAC approved the procurement of the Nag missile system (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), ground-based mobile electronic intelligence systems (ELINT), and high-mobility vehicles (HMVs).

The ministry said NAMIS will enhance the Army’s ability to neutralise enemy combat vehicles, bunkers and fortifications, while the ELINT systems will provide continuous electronic intelligence. HMVs will improve logistics support across varied terrains.

The DAC also cleared the procurement of a Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) and other proposals for the Indian Air Force. The CLRTS/DS can autonomously take off, land, navigate, detect and deliver payloads in mission areas.

(With inputs from agencies)