Key Takeaways
- Defence Ministry approves military projects worth Rs 79,000 crore ($9 billion)
- Major acquisitions include S-400 missiles, amphibious warships, and swarm drones
- Projects to significantly boost Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force capabilities
The Defence Ministry has cleared a massive Rs 79,000 crore military modernization package, including advanced S-400 air defence missiles, amphibious warships, and indigenous anti-tank systems. The approval covers critical projects for all three armed forces, marking one of the largest defence acquisition pushes in recent times.
Major Defence Projects Approved
The Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC), led by Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) – the first step in procurement – for several strategic systems.
Amphibious Warships: Rs 33,000 Crore
The largest project involves constructing four Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) with over 20,000-tonne displacement. These vessels will be built at an Indian shipyard through competitive bidding.
“The LPDs will help the Navy undertake amphibious operations along with Army and IAF as well peacekeeping and disaster relief missions,” an official stated.
S-400 Missile Systems: Over Rs 10,000 Crore
The clearance includes acquiring large numbers of surface-to-air missiles with ranges from 120km to 380km for S-400 Triumf systems.
“The large missile order will replenish as well as build reserves for the S-400 systems, which were a game-changer during the cross-border hostilities with Pakistan in May,” another official revealed.
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh recently confirmed the S-400 systems shot down “at least five high-tech Pakistani fighters in the F-16 and JF-17-class” and an ELINT/AEW&C aircraft at 314km distance during Operation Sindoor – “the longest kill ever achieved.”
The IAF will receive the final two of five S-400 squadrons next year, completing the 2018 contract delayed by the Russia-Ukraine war. With President Putin’s December visit approaching, plans for three additional squadrons are being finalized.
Advanced Drone Systems: Rs 5,500 Crore
The “collaborative long-range target saturation and destruction systems” – swarm drones with 1,000km+ range – will operate autonomously for target detection and payload delivery.
“These systems will be capable of autonomous take-off, landing, navigating, detecting and delivering payload in target areas like enemy airfields,” officials confirmed.
Army and Navy Enhancements
The Army will receive 107 Nag Mark-2 missile systems (Rs 2,500 crore), ground-based mobile ELINT systems, and high-mobility vehicles with cranes.
“The NAMIS (tracked) will enhance the Army’s capability of neutralizing enemy tanks and fortifications. GBMES will provide round-the-clock electronic intelligence, while HMVs improve logistical support in diverse terrains,” an official explained.
The Navy’s acquisition includes 30mm surface guns (Rs 1,200 crore) for anti-piracy roles, advanced torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare, electro-optical systems, and smart ammunition for warship guns.
