NEW DELHI, Nov 22:
The Defence Ministry today approved the proposal of purchasing mounted guns for Rs 17,750 crore, that would end the two-and-a-half decade drought of artillery in Indian
Army, putting aside the political fear factor related to ‘Bofors scandal’.
The first Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting headed by New Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also gave its approval to buy Integrated Air Command and Control Systems and air sensors for Rs 7,160 crore.
Briefing mediapersons after the DAC meeting, a Defence Ministry official said the decisions relating to two other projects, one for replacing 56 Avro aircraft of Indian Air force and other relating to follow-on orders of Pilatus basic trainer aircraft were deferred for the next DAC meeting.
Indian Army has not added a single gun into its arsenal of artillery since 1986 as the successive governments at the centre have been shying of taking the any decision in this regard because of the dark shadow of ‘Bofors scandal’ of late eighties. According to the proposal sanctioned today, 814 units of mounted guns of 155 mm and 52 calibre guns will be procured through ‘Buy and Make in India’ route. Army sources said 100 such guns will be bought off the shelf while rest of the units be manufactured in India under technology transfer. Three major indigenous gun producers-Tata, Larson and Toubro and Bharat Forge will be vying for the mega project. Another important procurement proposal which got the DAC nod today relates to Integrated Air Command and Control System that will give a major boost to IAF’s surveillance and air defence capabilities. (UNI)
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