Defense ministry clears procurement of military hardware worth Rs 45,000 crore. 12 Sukhoi planes, air-to-ground Dhruvastra missiles will be purchased

India on Thursday approved nine defense procurement proposals worth about Rs 45,000 crore. Under this, 12 Su-30 MKI fighter planes and Dhruvastra air-to-surface missiles will be purchased. Dornier aircraft will also be upgraded. The procurement proposals have been approved under the ‘Make in India’ initiative amid the ongoing border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

Proposals for purchase of indigenous defense equipment were approved in the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday.

The Defense Ministry statement said that this purchase will increase the strength and firepower capabilities of the three armies.

Light Armed Multipurpose Vehicle (AMV), Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S), High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) and Gun Towing Vehicle will be purchased for the Army. In which artillery guns and radar can be easily transported from one place to another.

Dornier aircraft will be upgraded

The DAC also approved the IAF’s proposal to upgrade Dornier aircraft. With this, the service life of the aircraft can be extended and more aircraft can be used at one time. DAC has also approved the purchase of Dhruvastra air-to-ground missile for use in the indigenously made light helicopter Dhruv. Apart from this, 12 Sukhoi MKI aircraft for the Air Force will also be purchased from HAL.

Approval for purchase of survey vessel for Navy

Formal approval was also given for the purchase of next generation survey ship for the Navy. This will increase the operational strength of the Navy at sea.

Rajnath Singh During the meeting, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that this is the time to promote indigenization and we should increase the indigenous content in such products from 50 percent to 60-65 percent. In this regard, the Defense Minister also asked the chiefs of the three armies and the Defense Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) to take necessary steps to increase indigenous content.