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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
RPAs for 3 services to mountain radars: DAC clears procurements worth Rs 67,000 cr
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday approved a range of military procurement proposals for the armed forces worth nearly Rs 67,000 crore. These include the procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the three services, a compact autonomous surface craft for the Navy, maintenance support for the C-17 and C-130J fleets of the Indian Air Force (IAF), and a comprehensive annual maintenance contract for the S-400 long range air defence missile system. The DAC's approval for the maintenance of both American and Russian platforms with the IAF can be considered a display of strategic autonomy by India, especially at a time when the US President Donald Trump has been criticising India over its crude oil imports from Russia, a move New Delhi termed 'unjustified and unreasonable targeting' of the country. The IAF has a fleet of 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules Aircraft, procured from the US in 2010-11, followed by additional orders in the subsequent years. The IAF operates a fleet of 11 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft procured between 2013 and 2019. Both were procured by India from the US under separate Foreign Military Sale (FMS) agreements. India had signed the S-400 deal with Russia in 2018, a year after the US passed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The long range surface to air missile system played a critical role in defending Indian skies during Operation Sindoor between May 7 and 10. These procurements are particularly significant in the light of Operation Sindoor, which was launched by India on May 7 after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, and appear to be drawn from lessons learnt from it. According to a statement issued by the Defence Ministry, the DAC has granted an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sights for the Battle Mechanised Platforms with the Army, which will enhance the night driving capability of BMPs and provide higher mobility and operational advantage to the mechanised infantry. The DAC is the primary body responsible for approving major capital acquisitions in defence. The first step in the defence procurement process is the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). However, obtaining an AoN does not always lead to a final order. The DAC also approved the procurement of the compact autonomous surface craft, the BrahMos fire control system and launchers, and the upgrade of the BARAK-1 point defence missile system for the Navy. 'The procurement of the compact autonomous surface craft will enable the Indian Navy to detect, classify and neutralise threats during anti-submarine warfare missions,' the statement said. For the Indian Air Force, an AoN was granted for the procurement of mountain radars and the upgrade of the SAKSHAM/SPYDER weapon system, which will enhance air surveillance capabilities along and across borders in mountainous regions. The upgrade of the SAKSHAM/SPYDER system for integration with the Integrated Air Command and Control System will strengthen India's air defence capabilities. Additionally, the procurement of MALE RPAs for three services will support round-the-clock surveillance and combat readiness, as these aircraft can carry multiple payloads and weapons while operating at longer ranges for extended missions.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
India Hits China Where It Hurts Most, Hosts Beijing's Enemy, Sends Strongest Message With Naval Alliance In South China Sea
New Delhi: India welcomed one of China's fiercest maritime adversaries this week with full diplomatic honours and coordinated military manoeuvres. As Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr stepped onto Indian soil for a state visit, Indian warships were already cutting through the South China Sea alongside the Philippine Navy. The message from New Delhi was India stands with Beijing's biggest regional rival. The joint naval passage took place inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Indian ships INS Delhi, INS Shakti and INS Kiltan sailed alongside Philippine frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal. The two-day operation was calm but closely monitored. 'We did not experience any untoward incidents, but there are still those shadowing us as we had already expected,' said Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner. The naval drill unfolded just as President Marcos departed Manila for his five-day visit to India. The timing was not incidental. The idea for the joint operation came during Brawner's meeting with his Indian counterpart in March. The exercise, confirmed by Indian officials, formed part of New Delhi's broader push to further strengthen security ties across the Indo-Pacific. Some nice shots! As part of the ongoing Operational Deployment to South East Asia, Indian Naval Ships INS Delhi (Guided Missile Destroyer), INS Shakti (Fleet Tanker), and INS Kiltan (Anti Submarine Warfare corvette) of the Eastern Fleet concluded their port call at Manila,… — Vayu Aerospace Review (@ReviewVayu) August 5, 2025 Indian Navy ships INS Delhi, Shakti, Kiltan in Manila, Philippines; to hold joint exercises with Philippines counterparts — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 4, 2025 #IndianNavy and #Philippines naval forces conducted first joint naval exercise in the #WestPhilippineSea Two PLA Navy vessels where tracking the exercise from 10 Nautical Miles, away #SouthChinaSea vid cr ANC 24/7 Philippines — Hero For Fun (@XClassHero) August 4, 2025 In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs reinforced its maritime posture through official briefings. 'Our position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent. We consider the South China Sea part of global commons. We support freedom of navigation, overflight and legitimate commerce through the waters of the South China Sea. India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the region, and our position is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982,' said MEA Secretary (East) Periasamy Kumaran. He emphasised India's view that ongoing negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea should include voices from all affected parties, including those outside the formal talks. 'It should be effective, substantive and inclusive of the interests of all stakeholders,' he added. The Indian and Philippine governments formalised their growing partnership with a Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos endorsed expanded cooperation in defence, maritime security, humanitarian response, pollution control, shipbuilding, coastal surveillance and disaster relief. Both countries expressed concern over rising aggression in the region and called for restraint. The joint statement reiterated their commitment to international law, including the UNCLOS, and their support for a free and open Indo-Pacific. They pledged increased participation in joint maritime drills, including the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, the Exercise MILAN and the Philippines' Maritime Cooperative Activities. India is delighted to welcome Philippines President, Mr. Bongbong Marcos at a time when we mark 75 years of bilateral relations between our nations. It is equally gladdening that we have decided to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership, which ensures our cooperation becomes… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2025 We are working to boost cultural linkages between India and Philippines. Our nations will work together in tourism, connectivity and holding regular cultural exchange programmes. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2025 The partnership now extends to cyber security, peacekeeping, critical technologies, economic security and military medicine. Maritime domain awareness will remain a top priority, with both sides planning joint research and technology sharing. India's actions have not gone unnoticed in Beijing. The Chinese foreign ministry repeated its long-standing position that disputes in the South China Sea must remain between 'countries directly involved', warning against third-party interference. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command had earlier accused the Philippines of inviting foreign militaries to conduct joint patrols, saying such moves 'undermine regional peace and stability'. The reference to India's involvement was implicit but clear. The joint naval passage comes against the backdrop of a broader regional realignment. Since late 2023, the Philippines has conducted maritime operations with the United States, Japan, Australia, France and Canada. India now joins that list, adding its weight and ships to the counter-China security web emerging across the Indo-Pacific. During his trip to India, President Marcos is focusing on expanding cooperation beyond the seas, touching sectors such as defence production, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and trade. But on both land and water, the strongest signal of the visit lies in the synchrony of political hospitality and military movement. India's embrace of China's maritime challenger comes with unmistakable intent.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
India, Russia Reaffirm Commitment To Enhance Defence Ties Amid Trump Threat
New Delhi: India and Russia on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to boost bilateral defence cooperation during a meeting between Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar and Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Colonel-General Alexander Fomin. According to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Indian envoy called on Col-Gen Fomin, who is in charge of international defence cooperation, and the meeting was held in a "warm and friendly atmosphere, customary for Russian-Indian ties". "During the conversation, the sides discussed in detail the pertinent issues of bilateral interaction in the sphere of defence and confirmed their intent toward the further strengthening of relevant cooperation in the spirit of particularly privileged strategic partnership," said the statement. The meeting took place amid US President Donald Trump's threats to slap harsh sanctions on India for buying crude oil from Russia.
