The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India, has approved the Army’s proposal for the procurement of night-vision equipment Thermal Imaging Fire Control System (TIFCS).
The proposal worth more than Rs18bn ($290m) has been cleared in a bid to improve performance of the Army’s tank fleet at night.
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Headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the CCS cleared the proposal for the T-90 and T-72 battle tanks, PTI reports.
Both the tanks will be equipped with the systems, which will be procured from Italy-based Elbit Systems, under the plan.
The Army is in the process of clarifying certain questions raised by the CCS in connection with the proposal prior to signing the deal and is undertaking a programme to modernise its entire fleet of over 2,000 BMPs with advanced weaponry and night-fighting capabilities.
The forces consist of 63 armoured corps regiments and more than 30 mechanised infantry battalions.
The Army is prepared for high-intensity, fast-tempo and short-duration battles in the future, for which the forces are said to form a key component.
Recently, a proposal to procure thermal imaging sights for the armoured vehicle fleet of the force consisting of tanks and infantry combat vehicles has been cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister A K Antony.
The Army will use 2,000 of the TI sights for the commanders of the T-72 tanks.
