India approves procurement of military equipment for army

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of India has approved procurement of military equipment worth more than Rs5.1bn ($716m) for the army.

Approval was given to procure military equipment, including electronic warfare systems for the Indian Army from indigenous sources.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) designed the systems, which are manufactured by local companies.

Set to be used in deserts and plains, the systems will provide comprehensive electronic support and counter measure capabilities to the field formations in communication, as well as other aspects of electronic warfare.

Additionally, the DAC approved prototype testing of DRDO-designed trawl assemblies for T-72 and T-90 tanks.

These will provide an important local de-mining capability to the Indian Army.

The DAC also approved the inclusion of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) in Defence Procurement Procedure.

This would help the army obtain capital procurement to startups and innovators working for iDEX and provide a boost to their budding efforts.

In a separate development, the DAC approved shortlisting of Indian Strategic Partners (SP) and the potential Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for the construction of six conventional submarines in the country.

These decisions were announced at a DAC meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Chief of Defence Bipin Rawat and several top officials.

Earlier this month, the Indian Army reportedly announced plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to procure more than 750,000 elite AK-203 assault rifles, which will be manufactured by the Indo-Russian Rifles (IRRPL), an India-Russia joint venture (JV) at Korwa.