Source : Indian Defence Analysis
Aatmanirbhar Bharat : Ministry of Defence was on fire yesterday, approved 6 major defence procurements worth Rs. 32,086 crore before FY2023 ends
On 30th March 2023 – a day before the closure of financial year, the MoD has inked 6 major deals for Indian Armed forces.
1. BEL Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems
MoD has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited, Bangalore for procurement of 13 Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems for Indian Navy at a total cost of over Rs 1,700 crore under Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category. It will be installed on New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels to be built indigenously at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers and Goa Shipyard.
We have already made a detailed video on BEL Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems and the link for the same can be found in description section:
2. Improved Akash Weapon System
The MoD has signed contracts for procurement of two additional regiments of improved Akash Weapon System with Bharat Dynamics Limited, worth over Rs 8,160 crore.
The new Akash system is going to be improved Akash Weapon System (AWS) for 3rd & 4th Regiments of Army Air Defence, comprising live Missiles & Launchers with upgrades, Ground Support Equipment, Vehicles and Infrastructure. The AWS will be deployed by Indian Army across the northern border. It is a Short-Range SAM system indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Improved AWS features new Seeker Technology, Reduced Footprint, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
3. Weapon Locating Radars Swathi (Plains)
MoD has signed contract for WLR Swathi (Plains) with Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) at a cost of over Rs 990 crore. It is an indigenously designed WLR which is capable of locating guns, mortars and rockets firing, thereby facilitating their destruction through Counter Bombardment by own firepower resources. This will enable troops to carry out their operational tasks without any interference from the enemy and also provide them safety against enemy fire. Induction is planned to be completed in 24 months.
4. Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long range)
MoD has also inked Rs 1,700 crore deal with BrahMos aerospace for the Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long range) & BrahMos Missiles for Indian Navy.
The Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long range) is going to be equipped with supersonic BrahMos Missiles and will significantly enhance multi-directional maritime strike capability of Indian Navy. The delivery of NGMMCBs is scheduled to commence from 2027.
5. Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels
The contract for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category was signed with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata at a total cost of Rs 9,781 crore. Of the 11 ships, seven will be indigenously designed, developed & manufactured by GSL and four by GRSE. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026.
6. Next Generation Missile Vessels
MoD has also inked another contract for acquisition of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) was signed with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of Rs 9,805 crore. The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from March 2027. The NGMVs would be heavily armed war vessels incorporating stealth, high speed, and offensive capability. The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warship, merchantman and land targets.
These ships will be capable of conducting Maritime Strike Operations, Anti Surface Warfare Operations and would be a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships especially at choke points. In defensive role, these ships would be employed for Local Naval Defence operations and seaward defence of Offshore Development Area.
All of Navy’s upcoming NGMVs to be deployed on western theater for offensive ops against Pak surface fleet and offshore installations.
