By Admin 
India on Thursday approved proposals to purchase arms and military equipment worth Rs 79,000 crore, including Nag missiles, warships and electronic intelligence and surveillance systems, to enhance the army’s combat capabilities. The procurement proposals were approved in the meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. This is the second major decision on procurement after ‘Operation Vermillion’. On August 5, procurement projects worth Rs 67,000 crore were approved.
What did the Defense Ministry say?
The Defense Ministry said the DAC approved various proposals at a total cost of about Rs 79,000 crore. For the Indian Navy, procurement of ammunition for Landing Platform Docks (LPD), 30 mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG), Advanced Light Weight Torpedo (ALWT), Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System and 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount was approved. The procurement of LPDs will help the Indian Navy to carry out amphibious operations along with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
The integrated maritime capability provided by the LPD will also assist the Indian Navy in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. “The induction of ALWT, indigenously developed by DRDO’s Naval Science and Technology Laboratory, will enable targeting of conventional, nuclear and small submarines,” the statement said. It said that the procurement of 30 mm NSG will enhance the capability of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to conduct low intensity maritime operations and anti-piracy roles.
Which weapons were approved?
Approval was given for the purchase of Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES) and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) including Material Handling Crane for the Indian Army. The procurement of NAMIS (Tracked) will enhance the Indian Army’s ability to disable enemy combat vehicles, bunkers and other field fortifications, while GBMES will provide round-the-clock electronic intelligence on enemy emitters. The induction of HMV will significantly improve the logistics support of armies in diverse geographical areas.
For the Air Force, approval was given for the Coordinated Long Range Target Saturation/Destroy System (CLRTS/DS) and other proposals. CLRTS/DS has the capability of automated take-off, landing, navigation, detection and delivery of payload in the mission area.