Big Push to Indigenisation, Govt Clears Procurement of Domestic Weapons Acquisition Worth Over 31,000 Crore

In an effort to give a big boost to local design and development, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the acquisition of defense equipment worth Rs. 31,130 crores from the Indian defense industry. The decision comes after the prevailing situation on the borders with Tibet, where both armies have been at odds for several weeks. The DAC also approved the purchase of various platforms and equipment, including a number of fighter jets, missile systems needed by the Indian Armed Forces for an approximate price of Rs 38,900.

“Focused on local design and development, these approvals include acquisitions by the Indian industry of Rs 31,130. The equipment will be manufactured in India by the Indian defense industry with the participation of MSMEs as distributors. The local content in some of these projects is up to 80% of the project cost. Many of these projects have been made possible by technology transfer (ToT) from the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to local industry. These include Pinakaammunition ammunition, BMP armament upgrades, software-defined radios for the Indian Army, long-range cruise missile systems and Astra missiles for the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The cost of these design and development proposals is in the range of 20,400,000 rupees, “the defense ministry said in a statement on July 2 after a meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defense Minister Rajnat Singh.

To enhance the combat capabilities of the armed forces, it also authorized the acquisition of 248 Astra Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missiles for the Indian Air Force and Navy. The design and development of DRDO’s new 1,000-kilometer long-range long-range cruise missile has also been cleared. “The acquisition of new / additional missile systems will increase the firepower of three services. While the acquisition of Pinaka missile systems will allow raising additional regiments above those already introduced. The addition of long-range ground missile systems with a range of 1,000 km to the existing arsenal will enhance the attacking capabilities of the Navy and Air Force. Similarly, the introduction of Astra missiles with range capabilities will serve as a force multiplier and contribute significantly to the Navy and Air Force’s strike capability, “the statement said.

In an equally important decision, the DAC also approved the acquisition of 33 new fighters, including 12 Su-30MKIs and 21 MiG-29s, along with an upgrade of 59 MiG-29s at Rs 18,148,000. The Ministry of Defense summed up the importance of the decisive decision, informing: “Responding to the long-standing need of the Indian Air Force to increase its fighter squadrons, DAC approved the proposal to purchase 21 MiG-29s together with modernization of existing 59 MiG-29 aircraft and purchase of 12 Su-30 MKIs, ”While the purchase and upgrade of the MiG-29 from Russia is expected to cost Rs 7,418, the Su-30 MKI will be purchased by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at an approximate price of 10,730 kroner.

The role of DRDO

In response to the Department of Defense’s decision, DRDO President Dr. G Satheesh Reddy said: “The Astra air-to-air missile, software-defined radio, Pinaka ammunition and cruise missiles for ground attack are state-of-the-art systems developed by DRDO. The armed forces and industry will benefit greatly from the production of these local systems. “

ASTRA

ASTRA is a class of airborne missile system (AAM) beyond visual range (BVR) designed for fighter mounting. The missile is designed to engage and destroy supersonic aircraft with high maneuverability. The rocket has all the weather conditions day and night. The missile is developed in many variants to meet specific requirements. The ASTRA Mk-I weapon system, integrated with SU-30 Mk-I aircraft, is being introduced into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

It can be started in autonomous and friendly mode with LOBL and LOAL locking functions.

Software Defined Radio (SDR)

SDR is a secure local system with supported communication support and secure digital communication with voice / data for naval application with 3 channels (2V / UHF band and 1HF band), 4 channels (2V / UHF band and 2L band) for tactical communication and single channel operation in V / UHF (backpack role) and UHF tape (laptop role)

Most

Pinaka is a rocket-artillery system with free flight in all weather conditions. It provides a unique ability to accurately transmit devastatingly deadly fire to various targets in the area, such as open enemy troops, armored and soft leather vehicles, communications centers, air terminal complexes, fuel depots and ammunition. The Pinaka weapon system consists of a missile, a multi-role missile system, a battery command post, a rechargeable vehicle and a Digicora MET radar.

Long-range Ground Attack Wing Missile (LRLACM)

Currently, project leaders have developed, demonstrated and perfected critical technologies for cruise missiles, such as aerodynamic configuration, vertical launch with a solid amplifier, thrust vector control system, amplifier splitting, wing deployment in flight, launch of in-flight engine and long range – point navigation system. The development and testing of searchers from DRDO laboratories have been demonstrated and are at a high level of readiness. It is therefore important to undertake the proposed development of fully local long-range cruise missiles, which significantly improves the operational capabilities of the services.

Ravi Shankar