It's Raining Weapons This March: Made-In-India Equipment Worth Over Rs 44,000 Crore Ordered For Indian Armed Forces In One Month

In a never before seen rally, the Government of India has signed deals worth more than Rs 44,000 crore in a quick succession, in the month of March.

This flurry of purchases is due to the fact that a large percentage of the defence capital budget allocated for the previous year went unspent, as a result of difficulties paying for sanctions that were imposed on Russia, due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

March is the last month of the FY 2022-23 and according to the laid down norms, any unspent budget is surrendered back to the Finance Ministry, since there is no rollover facility available to the Defence Ministry.

In March, the Government of India signed eight major contracts worth a total of Rs 44,036 crore with primarily Indian manufacturers, including Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs).

A majority of the contracts went to the Navy, with the Army and Air Force close behind.

1. Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs)

The NGOPVs are offshore patrol vessels that will increase the Navy’s various operational capabilities such as anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, non-combatant evacuation operations, search and rescue (SAR), protection of offshore assets etc.

Eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) will be manufactured by Goa Shipyard Limited and Kolkata based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) at a total cost of Rs 9,781 crore.

Seven NGOPVS will be built by GSL and the rest four by GRSE.

2. Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs)

The NGMVs are heavily armed war vessels incorporating stealth, high speed and offensive capability. The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warship, merchantmen and land targets.

These vessels will allow the Indian Navy to conduct maritime strikes and anti-surface warfare operations.

Six of these NGMVs worth Rs 9,805 crore will be manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

3. Akash Air Defence Missile

The Akash air defence missile system is a short-range surface-to-air missile air defence system which will help plug the air defence gaps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, where the two countries have been locked in a tense military standoff, for three years now.

The contract, worth over Rs 8,160 crore signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), includes live missiles and launchers with upgrades, ground support equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure.

4. Swathi Weapons Locating Radars (WLR)

Swathi Weapons Locating Radars (WLR) is capable of detecting and locating accurate positions of enemy artillery systems.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is the prime contractor for the Swathi WLR and will manufacture twelve radars at a cost of Rs 990 crore.

5. BrahMos Coastal Battery Systems

The BrahMos Coastal Battery Systems, equipped with BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles, will provide stand-off precision strike capabilities against surface vessels and serve as a potent deterrent against potential naval threats.

The system will be delivered by 2027 and will cost the exchequer 2027.

6. Lynx U2 Fire Control Systems

The Navy will get thirteen Lynx U2, the Fire Control Systems (FCS) for the frigate and destroyers, at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore.

BEL is the prime contractor of this system.

7. Himshakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems

The Himshakti Electronic Warfare (EW) system is designed for operations in mountainous terrain, with a specific focus on countering Chinese military threats.

The system is capable for jamming enemy communications to create confusion in the command and control (C2) systems of the enemy.

This deal is worth Rs 3,000 crore and will be completed by BEL in two years.

8. Arudhra Medium Power Radars (MPR) and Digital RWR

Arudhra is a 4D Multi-function phased array radar with electronic steering in both Azimuth and elevation for surveillance detection and tracking of aerial targets and will have Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) capabilities.

The radar is capable of detecting hostile fighters and missiles and will provide a complete situational awareness to the commander of Indian Air Force.

The DR-118 (RWR), on the other hand, is a digital radar warning receiver for Su-30 MKI that can warn the Sukhoi pilots of approaching hostile missile.

The contract for the Arudhra MPR and 129 DR-118 RWR is worth Rs 3,700 crore.

9. HTT-40 trainers

The HTT-40 is a basic trainer aircraft for training new pilots of the Air Force. It is turbo prop aircraft possessing good low-speed handling qualities, which provide better training effectiveness.

The IAF will get 70 HTT-40 from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of Rs 6,828 crore.

10. Cadet Training Ships

Cadet training ships will allow the Navy to provide basic training to new cadet officers and sailors. These ships will be built by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) for Rs 3,100 crore.

The Navy will get three of these cadet training ships.

With these new acquisitions, India's defence capabilities are set to receive a significant boost in the coming years, enhancing its ability to secure its borders and safeguard its sovereignty.

All of the deals signed are in line with the government's 'Make-in-India' initiative, which aims to promote indigenous manufacturing and reduce the country's dependence on imported defence equipment.