The Indian Defence Ministry has given the green light for proposals to purchase various weapon systems worth over Rs 70,500 crore. All planned purchases fall under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, furthering the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) programme. These acquisitions come amidst a nearly three-year-long standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.
The Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has authorized the procurement of 307 advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS) for the Army. These indigenous 155mm/52 caliber ATAGS were developed by DRDO with production partners Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems.
In addition, the DAC has approved the procurement proposal for 200 more BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, equipped with an extended range for the frontline warships of the Navy. These missiles will be used on four Project-15B destroyers and seven Project-17A frigates.
The total approval granted for capital acquisition in the 2022-23 financial year is now Rs 2,71,538 crore, with almost all of this being sourced from Indian industries. This indigenous procurement is expected to boost the Indian industries’ drive towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat while reducing India’s reliance on foreign vendors.
The approved proposals represent a significant step towards India’s goal of self-reliance in defence. The DAC’s decision to prioritize indigenous procurement will have a positive impact on India’s overall economic growth, create jobs, and support key industries.
