New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved a purchase of weapons worth Rs 13.7 billion to prioritise the Indian defence forces’ preparedness and domestic investment in the defence sector. The defence ministry said that the decision was taken in a meeting presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. A timeline of two years to execute the contracts has also been set.

Advertisement

Against the background of the tensions reigning with China on the border and the LAC in Ladakh, the Indian defence forces have increased their focus on preparedness. The process for the purchase of advanced weaponry and other defence systems has been expedited for this purpose. The DAC meeting held under this very initiative approved the purchase of weapons worth Rs 13.7 billion. It has been clarified that these weapons will be of indigenous make.

The approval granted by the DAC includes weapons and other defence systems required for all the three defence forces, Army, Navy and the Air Force. Last year, under a similar proposal, approval was awarded to purchase 83 Tejas LCA and more than 100 Arjun MK-1 tanks. The defence ministry has prepared a list of 101 items to ensure indigenous production and purchase of these items if sanctions are imposed against the Indian defence forces. It is believed that the list approved on Monday has items from the said list.

At the beginning of the month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had announced a provision of USD 130 billion, over the next five years, for the modernisation of the Indian defence forces, during Aero India held in Bengaluru. At the same time, he also had clarified that steps would be initiated to reduce the expenditure on defence-related imports by USD 2 billion.

Advertisement

Related posts:

Rashtra Raksha Mahayagya inaugurated in New Delhi; Aims at protecting India & destroying its enemies by worshipping Goddess Baglamukhi Russia presents India proposal to jointly manufacture advanced fighter jets, submarines under Make in India initiative Indian Defence Ministry approves purchase of defence equipment worth ₹8,722 crore Scope of India-US defence cooperation increased, purchase of defence equipment worth more than USD 3 billion this year Commissioning of INS Khanderi boosts Indian Navy’s incisive striking capability against Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh More than 200 Consolidation Agreements of India signed at the Defense Expo Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves for Russia   We aim for ‘Make for World’ along with ‘Make in India’: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh