Tanks, missile carriers, radars... India to buy weapons worth Rs 13,700 crore
All these acquisition proposals will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. Anish Singh reports
FollowDefence Minister Rajnath Singh-headed Defence Acquisition Council on Tuesday gave approval for procurement proposals worth Rs 13,700 crore, including 118 Arjun MK-1A tanks for around Rs 8,400 crore.
During his visit to Tamil Nadu last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the first Arjun MK-1A tank to the Indian Army at Heavy Vehicle Factory Avadhi in Salem district.
"Three Acceptance of Necessities for an overall cost of Rs 13,700 crore were accorded," the defence ministry said.
With the AoN for Arjun MK-1A, the Indian Army will now place indent with the company by the end of next month.
The tank weighs 68 tonnes and features a 120mm main gun with 71 other upgrades. These tanks would form two regiments in the Armoured Corps and add to the first batch of 124 Arjun tanks which have already been deployed on the western deserts in Rajasthan sector along the Pakistan front.
"MBT Arjun with its first-round hit probability has one of the most accurate tank guns in the world. This majestic tank has indigenous Kanchan Armour strapped with reactive armour panels," a DRDO official had said.
After being used in different conditions, the Indian Army had recommended a number of improvements to MBT Arjun Mk 1, which enhanced the mobility and firepower of MBT Arjun Mk 1A.
With these changes, this upgraded version had successfully undergone extensive trials by the Indian Army.
The precise target tracking of the tank ensures accurate engagement during day and night in both static and dynamic conditions.
Beside Arjun MK-1A tanks, the DAC also cleared other proposals of DRDO, including Nag missile carrier Namica, Arudhra medium-power radars and Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) 125mm practice tank ammunition.
"DAC has approved capital acquisition proposals of various weapons, platforms, equipment, systems required by the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force," the ministry said.
"All these acquisition proposals will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. These will include inter-alia platforms and systems designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)," the ministry added.
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