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India clears Rs 1 lakh cr defence purchases: spy planes, minesweepers, and missile systems get nod
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with MoS Sanjay Seth during the flagging off ceremony of 'Sanjay' Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS) at South Block. PTI
India's defence ministry on Thursday (July 3) okayed three major and seven smaller acquisition projects, with a total worth of INR 1 lakh crore ($11.7 billion). The projects include specialised spy aircraft and advanced minesweepers to quick-reaction air defence missiles and underwater autonomous vessels, reported Times of India.
Notably, the ministry has only given a preliminary nod or 'acceptance of necessity' so far, which is just the first step in the arduous and long acquisition process.
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One of the biggest projects to secure the nod is the indigenous construction of 12 mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) for around Rs 44,000 crore ($5.14 billion), which will take about a decade to materialise.
These warships would be able to detect, track and destroy underwater mines installed by enemy forces.
At a time when Pakistan and China are increasingly expanding maritime co-operation, developing the MCMVs is crucial to secure India's maritime boundaries and commercial shipping.
Quick reaction surface to air missile (QRSAM)
The second major project involves the Rs 36,000 crore ($4.2 billion) acquisition of quick reaction surface-to-air missile (QRSAM) systems, developed by DRDO, comprising three regiments for the Army and three squadrons for the Indian Air Force.
The Army Air Defence (AAD) has identified a need for 11 such regiments.
These highly mobile QRSAMs, designed to neutralise hostile fighter jets, helicopters, and drones at ranges up to 30 km, will enhance India's multi-layered air defence network, which proved vital during Operation Sindoor in countering Turkish-origin drones and Chinese missiles launched by Pakistan from May 7-10.
ISTAR aircraft
The third significant project is the Rs 10,000 crore ($1.17 billion) procurement of three ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) aircraft.
These planes, equipped with DRDO-developed indigenous sensors like synthetic aperture radars, electro-optical, and infrared systems, will enable precise targeting of high-value enemy ground targets by fighter jets and missiles, providing real-time actionable intelligence on enemy infrastructure, troop build-ups, and movements.
Another approved project involves semi-submersible autonomous vessels for ISR missions, acquired under the 'Make-II' category, where industry funds prototype development.
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Additionally, two naval projects were greenlit: the procurement of super-rapid gun mounts (SRGMs), the primary 76mm guns for warships, through competitive bidding, and DRDO-developed 'processor-based moored mines' that detonate by detecting an enemy warship's acoustic, magnetic, or pressure signatures.
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