New Delhi: The four-day military conflict with Pakistan in May underlined the importance and significance of our Defence sector.
When Pakistan tried to retaliate after India carried out Operation Sindoor to avenge the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, our Armed Forces repelled the enemy’s efforts successfully and also hit back to seriously dent their airbases.
In a major boost for India’s Armed Forces, the Central government on Thursday cleared multiple major proposals worth around Rs 79,000 crore to strengthen its capabilities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, which cleared the projects.
The DAC gave its approval — known as Acceptance of Necessity — for the purchase of the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mark-II, Ground-Based Mobile Electronic Intelligence System, and High Mobility Vehicles fitted with Material Handling Cranes.
The new Nag Missile System will enable the Army to destroy enemy tanks, bunkers and other field fortifications. The electronic intelligence system will help in monitoring enemy signal emissions continuously, while the high mobility vehicles will improve logistics and movement of heavy equipment across challenging terrains.
As for the Navy, approvals have been given for purchase of Landing Platform Docks, 30-millimetre Naval Surface Guns, Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes, Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track Systems, and Smart Ammunition for the 76-millimetre Super Rapid Gun Mount.
Indian Navy will be able to carry out large-scale amphibious missions in coordination with the Army and Air Force, with the help of Landing Platform Docks. These vessels will also be used for peacekeeping operations and humanitarian or disaster relief efforts.
The Advanced Lightweight Torpedo, developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, will be able to engage conventional and nuclear-powered submarines, while the 30-millimetre guns will strengthen the Navy and Coast Guard in anti-piracy operations and low-intensity maritime missions.
Indian Air Force will benefit from the acquisition of Collaborative Long-Range Target Saturation and Destruction System. This system can take off, land, navigate, identify targets and deliver its payload autonomously during missions.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the approvals reflect the Narendra Modi government’s focus on modernising the Armed Forces through indigenously developed systems, in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
