Raksha Mantri clears procurement of over Rs 1800 crore to purchase Infantry Combat Vehicle, other weapons

NewsBharati    21-Feb-2018
Total Views |

New Delhi, February 21: With an aim to meet the immediate requirement of the security forces, the Defence Ministry on Tuesday cleared procurement of more than Rs 1800 crore to purchase an essential quantity of Infantry Combat Vehicle (BMPs-2/2k) for Mechanised Infantry and other arms. The step has also been taken to tighten national security.

 

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman approved the proposals of the security forces valued at over Rs 1850 crore. These included procurement of essential quantity of Infantry Combat Vehicle (BMPs-2/2k) for Mechanised Infantry and other Arms and Services at an estimated cost of over Rs 1125 crore from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

 

However, this procurement will meet the operational requirement of the troops in the rapid deployment of Mechanised Forces. Indian Navy has played a lead role in Hydrographic operations in the Indian Ocean Region. DAC also accorded approval for procurement of one Survey Training Vessel (STV) for meeting the Navy's growing 'Hydrographic Survey' needs in ports, harbours, Exclusive Economic Zone, etc. The construction of the vessel is to be undertaken under Buy (Indian-IDDM) by Indian shipyards at an estimated cost of Rs 626 crore.

 

In the last week, to meet the immediate requirement of the troops deployed along the borders and tightening national security, the Defence Ministry cleared procurement of more than Rs 1500 crore to purchase an essential quantity of Light Machine Guns for the three Services through the Fast Track Procedure.

 

Also, in the last month, the DAC approved procurement of 5,719 Sniper Rifles for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force at an estimated cost of Rs 982 crore. While these high precision weapons will be bought with ‘Buy Global’ categorization, the ammunition for these will be initially procured and subsequently manufactured in India.

To enhance the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of Indian Naval Ships, the DAC accorded approval for the procurement of Advanced Torpedo Decoy Systems (ATDS) for the Indian Navy. The 'Mareech' system has been developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation and has successfully completed extensive trial evaluations. The 'Mareech' systems will be produced by Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru at an estimated cost of Rs 850 crore.