Defence Minister clears acquisition projects worth 1.10 L Crore

New Delhi: The Defence Ministry has cleared acquisition proposals worth ₹1.10 lakh crore, including new high-mobility vehicles, additional advanced light helicopters and upgrades to existing fighter jets.

Officials said the Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council accorded Acceptance of Necessity to several projects for the three armed forces on Monday. The services will now proceed with the acquisition process to select companies for awarding the contracts.

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Officials said that for the Indian Army, procurement of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear recce vehicles, high mobility vehicles, self-propelled mechanical mine layers, advanced light helicopters, trawl tanks and sarvatra bridge systems has been cleared.

"ALHs will execute complex missions across all terrains and operational situations for the Army and the Air Force. The trawl tanks and bridge systems will be utilised to provide composite crossings to fighting formations during operations in varied terrains," they said.

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For the Navy, the procurements that have been cleared include Arudhra radars, design and development and subsequent procurement of marine gas turbines. "Arudhra radar will replace the existing air route surveillance radars at various Naval Air Stations," officials said.

The Air Force has been given the go-ahead for proposals to enhance the war-fighting capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters. Approval was also accorded for the procurement of ground-based multi-purpose jammers. Officials added that about 98% of these procurements will be made by the Indian industry.