MOD approves procurement of ~13,165-cr military hardware
The defence ministry on Wednesday approved the procurement of military platforms and hardware worth ~13,165 crore that included 25 indigenously-developed ALH MARK-III helicopters for the Indian Army to boost its combat capabilities.
The cost of acquiring the advanced light helicopters from the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has been estimated at ~3,850 crore while a batch of rocket ammunition will cost ~4,962 crore, the defence ministry said.
The approval for procurement of the helicopters for the Army came six days after the ministry firmed up another bigticket deal under which 118 Main Battle Tanks (MBTS) Arjun are being acquired for the force for ~7,523 crore.
The indigenously designed and developed ALH MARK-III is a twin-engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5-ton weight category.
The procurement proposals were approved at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) that was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Out of the total procurements, equipment and platforms worth ~11,486 crore will be sourced from domestic entities, the ministry said.
“The DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AON) for capital acquisitions proposals for modernisation and operational needs of the Indian Armed Forces amounting to approximately ~13,165 crore. Of the total amount approved, procurement worth ~11,486 crore (87 per cent) is from the domestic sources,” the ministry said in a statement.
The proposals approved by the DAC also included procurement of guided munition. The DAC is the highest decision-making body of the defence ministry on procurement.
“Looking into the need of the Indian Army for an Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Squadron, to improve its integral lift capability ensuring its operational preparedness, the DAC accorded approval of procurement of 25 ALH Mark III helicopters from the HAL,” the ministry said.
The Indian Army has been pressing for procurement of the ALH to strengthen its lift capabilities.