Defence Ministry gives nod to acquisition of arms, military equipment worth Rs 7,965 crore

The DAC, on Tuesday, also approved “mid-life upgradation of Dornier aircraft” by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to increase the naval capacity of maritime reconnaissance and coastal surveillance, it mentioned.

“As a further impetus to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), a global procurement case of naval guns has been foreclosed with these guns’ quantity added to the upgraded super rapid gun mount (SRGM) being manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL),” it noted.

These SRGMs provide niche capabilities of engaging fast manoeuvring targets using guided munitions and range extensions, and are to be fitted on the Indian Navy's warships, the statement said.

“The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in its meeting of November 2, 2021, held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity for capital acquisition proposals for modernisation and operational needs of the armed forces amounting to Rs 7,965 crore,” it noted.

All these proposals are under the ‘Make in India’ regime with focus on design, development and manufacturing in the country, according to the statement. The military equipment is being procured at a time when the Indian armed forces are locked in a bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh.