New Delhi: Modernisation of the Army is progressing at a faster pace especially facilitated by the emergency procurement powers granted to the three Services.
The focus of Indian Army is equally on platforms and capabilities. AKASH System, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), Main Battle Tank Arjun, BrahMos Missiles system, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) helicopters are examples of Indian industry’s indigenously designed Hi-Tech and modern equipment.
A total of 62 contracts valued at Rs 93,253 crore were signed during the last three to four years. In addition to the contracts concluded, currently 94 schemes valued at Rs 1,52,387 crores are at various stages of the procurement process. Out of these, 15 schemes valued at Rs 30,768 crores are at advance stages, wherein final sanction by the competent authorities is awaited. Thirty-five fresh Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) of a total value of Rs 32,609 crore have been obtained in the last one year, for initiation of fresh procurement cases, are in addition to contracts carried forwarded from previous years.
A number of indigenous design and development projects have been successfully completed with exclusive proprietary rights with the Indian industry. The focus areas are multi capacity drones/UAVs, counter-drone/UAV systems with various capacities, more accurate small arms, better protective equipment, longer reach and advance Artillery weapon systems, Air Defence systems covering entire range of threat spectrum, more potent and futuristic Electronic Warfare measures and better communication.
The Indian Army has prioritised its procurement from Indian industry and is handholding numerous indigenisation projects right from design & development stage till the final trials stage.
DRDO has been nurturing as well as encouraging industry to take up defence manufacturing. Today, more than 2000 industry partners have joined hands with DRDO in delivery of components, subsystems, systems, platforms and technologies for Indian Armed Forces.
– The writer is a senior journalist and media consultant. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda.
