NEW DELHI: In order to improve the armed forces’ overall combat capabilities, the defence ministry approved the purchase of military gear worth Rs 84,560 crore on Friday, including multi-mission maritime aircraft. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement proposals. New generation anti-tank mines, software defined radios, medium range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission maritime aircraft, heavy weight torpedoes, and air defence tactical control radar are among the suggestions approved by the Defence Analytical Commission. According to the defence ministry, the DAC authorised the purchase of multi-mission and medium-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to bolster the Indian Coast Guard’s and Indian Navy‘s observation and interdiction capacities.In order to improve the air defence systems, particularly their capacity to identify small, slow-moving, and low-flying targets, a proposal to purchase air defence tactical control radar was also authorised, according to the statement. “In order to enhance the operational efficiency and domination in the tactical battle area for engaging targets that are beyond visual line of sight by the mechanised forces, the AoN (approval of necessity) under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category has been accorded for procurement of canister launched anti-armour loiter munition system,” said the defence ministry. It stated that in order to improve the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities and reach, the DAC granted AoN permission to purchase flight refuelling aircraft.
