In order to improve the combat readiness of the armed forces, India on Thursday given its initial clearance to defense purchases totaling $7,800 crore. These purchases included light machine guns, bridge-laying tanks, electronic warfare suites for air force helicopters, and armaments for naval choppers.In order to improve the armed forces’ combat readiness, India gave its initial approval on Thursday to defense purchases totaling $7,800 crore. These purchases included light machine guns, bridge-laying tanks, electronic warfare suites for air force helicopters, and weapons for naval choppers.
The process to purchase the military equipment was launched when the defence acquisition council (DAC), presided over by defence minister Rajnath Singh, gave the capital acquisition bids its acceptance of need (AoN). According to Indian defense procurement regulations, obtaining an AoN from the council is the first stage in purchasing the armed forces’ necessary equipment.
According to a statement from the defence ministry, the introduction of bridge-laying tanks would lead to speedier mobility of mechanized forces while the introduction of light machine guns (LMGs) will improve the fighting skills of the infantry. There is a need for tens of thousands of LMGs in the army. The 7.62mm x 51mm LMG must have an effective range of at least 800 meters. The DAC approved the procurement.
According to the statement, DAC also approved the purchase of an electronic warfare suite for Mi-17 V5 helicopters to increase their survivability. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) will supply this. The purchase of ground-based autonomous systems for mechanized infantry and armored regiments was another idea approved by the council, according to the statement. These systems would allow for unmanned observation, the delivery of ammunition, gasoline, and spare parts, as well as the evacuation of casualties from the battlefield.
The council also approved a plan to equip the navy’s brand-new MH-60R helicopters with weapons to improve their operational capabilities. The navy has ordered the helicopters from the US to improve its anti-submarine, anti-surface, and observation capabilities. As part of a 24-chopper contract struck three years ago to replace the nation’s aging naval helicopter fleet, the navy has so far received a few of the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60R multi-role helicopters from the US. Around Rs. 17,500 crore was spent on the helicopters under the government-to-government contract.
The twin-engine helicopters can operate from frigates, destroyers, and aircraft carriers and can be outfitted with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, MK 54 torpedoes, and cutting-edge precision weapons. One of the projects approved by the DAC is for the army to purchase robust computers and tablets.
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