Service vice-chiefs get fund to buy arms

New Delhi, June 21: The government has granted the three services emergency financial powers of up to `500 crore per procurement project to buy ammunition and weapons in view of the escalating border stand-off with China, government sources said on Sunday.

The special financial powers have been given to the forces to procure weapons and military hardware at short notice to enhance their operational preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), sources told PTI.

The government has relaxed certain rules to cut delays in military purchase like allowing the three services to procure weapons and equipment from a single vendor.

Military sources said the Army is going to use the emergency financial powers to expand its stock of ammunition as there is little possibility of any resolution of the standoff soon. “The three services have been given emergency financial powers of up to `500 crore per procurement project,” said a source. “The Vice-Chiefs of the three services have been given the financial powers up to `500 crore per project to acquire the required weapon systems under fast track procedures needed to fill whatever shortcomings or requirement is felt,” a senior government official said.

Similar financial powers were given to the armed forces after the Uri attack and the Balakot aerial strikes against Pakistan.

The Air Force had emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the powers granted after the Balakot airstrikes as they procured a large number of equipment including the Spice-2000 air-to-ground standalone missiles, Strum Ataka air-to-ground missiles along with multiple spares and air-to-air missiles.

The Army acquired the Israeli Spike anti-tank guided missiles along with precision-guided munitions from America.

The main focus in granting these powers to forces by the government has been to prepare themselves at a short notice for contingencies.