In the past year, India’s armed forces have signed contracts worth Rs 23,500 crore to address critical operational gaps, particularly in light of the ongoing military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. These contracts fall under the category of emergency capital procurements (EPs) and encompass a wide range of military equipment and systems.
The emergency procurements include various types of missiles, remotely-controlled weapons, precision-guided munitions, drones, counter-drone systems, satellite and communication systems, surveillance equipment, radars, personal protection gear, and high-mobility reconnaissance vehicles. These EPs were executed through a fast-track procedure distinct from the conventional, time-consuming procurement process.
During the period from September 2022 to September 2023, the Indian Army signed over 70 capital acquisition deals amounting to nearly Rs 11,000 crore under the EP-4 tranche. The Indian Air Force (IAF) inked 65 contracts worth over Rs 8,000 crore, while the Navy signed 35 deals worth Rs 4,500 crore.
It’s important to note that the first three tranches of deals were conducted with countries such as Russia, Israel, and France. The last tranche, EP-4, was exclusively reserved for procurements from domestic manufacturers, emphasizing India’s commitment to enhancing its indigenous defense production capabilities.
Among the notable acquisitions, the armed forces procured French ‘Hammer’ air-to-ground precision-guided munitions for their new Rafale fighter jets. Additionally, they acquired Israeli ‘Heron’ Mark-2 unmanned aerial vehicles and ‘Spike’ anti-tank guided missiles.
In total, the Indian Army has signed 140 contracts worth Rs 17,500 crore through the capital EP mechanism. Recognizing the operational significance of drones and AI-enabled drones in recent conflicts worldwide, the Army allocated approximately Rs 1,500 crore for 14 drone-related projects during the first three EP tranches. An additional Rs 2,000 crore was allocated for ten additional projects in EP-4.
These emergency capital procurements reflect India’s dedication to bolstering its defense capabilities in response to evolving security challenges and geopolitical developments.
AFI
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