New Delhi: Recently, a report was published that China has deployed a submarine drone near the Indian Ocean region. Against this background, the Indian Navy has started preparations to purchase drones for deployment on warships. The Navy has submitted a proposal to purchase these drones at the cost of nearly ₹1.3 billion, to the defence ministry and it is reported that the proposal will be fast-tracked. Meanwhile, the sanction for purchasing $2 billion worth of weapons and defence equipment, given to the defence forces has been extended by three months.
China has intensified its activities against India with the deployed Unmanned Underwater Vehicle near the Indian Ocean region. While the reports of this deployment are being received, the Indian Navy is taking rapid steps to increase preparedness. Soon the decision will be taken by the defence ministry regarding the proposal for the purchase of drones. This proposal is worth nearly ₹1.3 billion and these drones will be deployed on the warships. This will increase the surveillance capabilities of the Indian Navy.
Before this, two Sea Guardian drones have been taken on lease, for the Indian Navy, from the United States. India has decided to deploy them expeditiously. These drones can carry out surveillance for more than 30 hours. These Sea Guardian drones have been deployed on the INS Rajali base of the Indian Navy. Reports had been published that India was planning to purchase these drones from the United States. India is forced to take expeditious decisions, in view of the challenge posed by China in the Indian Ocean region. The transaction to lease the Sea Guardian drones also has been taken only due to this.
Not only the Navy, necessary purchases are being made even for the Army and Airforce. India seems to be holding talks with leading weapons and defence equipment manufacturing companies in the world. India has taken some significant decisions to expedite the process of defence purchases. Last year, the union government awarded additional rights to all the three defence forces to make urgent defence purchases. The defence forces have made purchases of weapons and defence equipment worth $2 billion using these rights.
The challenge to the country’s security has become serious, in view of the tension on the Line of Actual Control at Ladakh and the Chinese activities in the Indian marine region. In this situation, the union government has increased the additional powers awarded to the defence forces for urgent purchases by three months. Therefore, the defence forces will sign new agreements for the purchase of weapons and defence equipment.
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