About 8,300 Israeli Spike anti-tank guided missiles for the Indian Army
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley
New Delhi: The second significant decision taken by the Defence Acquisition Council, headed by defence minister Arun Jaitley, was the nod to acquire about 8,300 Israeli Spike anti-tank guided missiles for the Indian Army at a cost of about Rs 3,200 crore, thereby indicating that the American proposal to co-develop Javelin ATGMs had been knocked out of the race.
In the other decisions of the DAC, 12 Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft will be acquired for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 1,850 crore. These will be manufactured by the state-run HAL.
As many as 363 BMP infantry combat vehicles will be manufactured for the Army at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore by the state-run Ordnance Factory Board.
The move to get new submarines is a huge relief for the Navy which is facing a critical shortage of submarines. The six new conventional submarines that will be built at Indian shipyards will be equipped with air independent propulsion technology, which allows the submarines to stay underwater for longer periods.
The submarines will also be fitted with land-attack cruise missiles and enhanced stealth features that will make it difficult to detect.
The six submarines will be built in Indian shipyards as part of the Modi government’s efforts to boost defence indigenisation while simultaneously accepting transfer of foreign technology.
The Navy is worried about the depleting numerical strength of its submarine fleet since the ongoing project for building six French-origin Scorpene submarines at the Mazgaon shipyard has been hit by delays.
The loss of its front-ranking conventional INS Sindhurakshak submarine last year added to its woes.
A committee of the ministry of defence will visit the shipyards and see whether these are compliant and capable enough to manufacture the new conventional submarines.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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