Defence ministry clears decks for fasttrack purchase of assault rifles

: The defence ministry has cleared the decks for the purchase of much-needed assault rifles and carbines worth ₹3,547 crore to meet the army’s urgent operational requirements, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The defence acquisition council (DAC), headed by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, gave its “acceptance of necessity” for the basic infantry weapons under the fast-track procedure (FTP) prescribed in the Defence Procurement Procedure, 2016.

The government will now issue a tender to foreign military contractors for 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines, after a series of failed efforts to equip soldiers with these weapons during the last 10 years.

The FTP is invoked in cases where “undue/unforeseen delay” in buying weapons is seen to be adversely impacting the military’s preparedness.

The new assault rifles will replace the flaw-ridden 5.56mm INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifles inducted more than two decades ago, a weapon that has outlived its usefulness.

The DAC also simplified guidelines for developing and manufacturing military hardware by the Indian industry under the ‘Make II’ procedure, removing conditions related to credit rating and reducing financial net worth criteria for greater participation, the spokesperson said.

He said this had been done to encourage participation of the private sector in defence design and production.

NEW DELHI