Government approves military modernization projects worth Rs 76,000 crore

In a major boost to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', the Defence Acquisitions Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave preliminary approval to military modernization projects costing Rs 76,000 crore, including the Navy's next-generation corvettes.

The approval will help cut India's dependence on foreign imports for military equipments. India is one of the largest defence importers in the world.

The approvals have been give for the following projects:

• The Indian Army to procure Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks (RTFLTs), Bridge Laying Tanks (BLTs), Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles (Wh AFVs) with Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), and Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) from domestic sources, with a focus on indigenous design and development.

• The Indian Navy for the procurement of Next Generation Corvettes (NGC) at a cost of around Rs 36,000 crore. Surveillance missions, escort operations, deterrence, Surface Action Group (SAG) operations, Search & Attack, and Coastal Defense will all be possible with these NGCs. These NGCs will be based on a novel in-house design by the Indian Navy, using cutting-edge shipbuilding technology, and will contribute to the government's SAGAR initiative (Security and Growth for all in the Region).

• The Navratna CPSE M/s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the manufacture of Dornier aircraft and Su-30 MKI aero-engines, with a focus on increasing indigenization, particularly in the area of aero-engine material.

• The DAC has authorized the 'Digital Coast Guard' project under the 'Buy (Indian) Category,' in line with the government's aim for digital transformation in defense. This project would develop a pan-India secure network for the digitization of different surface and aviation operations, logistics, finance, and HR procedures in the Coast Guard.