On March 30, 2023, the Ministry of Defence (India) signed multiple deals worth 36,400 crores giving more firepower to the three-Armed Forces (Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force) of India and also boosting ‘Atmanirbharta’ in Defence.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a prominent DPSU (Defence Public Sector Undertaking) has signed a deal having a value of Rs 6000 crores for supplying two regiments of the upgraded version of the Akash Air Defence Missile Systems to the Indian Army.
The upgraded Akash Missile Systems have been enabled to be effective on high-altitude frontiers and are equipped with indigenous Active Radio Frequency seekers for improved accuracy. This will enable the Indian Army to take out offensive enemy aircraft and drones on the border.
The MoD has signed a deal with Indian Shipyards to acquire eleven ‘Next Generation Offshore Vessels’ and six ‘Next Generation Missile vessels’ at Rs 19,600 crores. The contract has been signed with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders Limited (GRSE) at a total cost of Rs 9,781 crores.
Seven Ships of ‘Offshore Vessels’ will be built in GSL and the remaining four will be designed by GRSE. The delivery of these ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026.
According to officials, these offshore vessels will enable the Indian Navy to maintain its combat capability and meet operational requirements namely, Anti-Piracy, Anti-Poaching, Anti-Trafficking, Non-Combat Evacuations operations, search and rescue along with protection of offshore assets.
As far as the six ‘missile vessels’ are concerned, the MoD has signed a contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) another exemplary Indian DPSU at Rs 9805 crores and their delivery is scheduled to commence from March 2027.
These missile vessels will be heavily armed war machines incorporating stealth, high speed and offensive capability. The primary role of these missile vessels is to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchant men and land targets.
Apart from these, the MoD has additionally signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited for the procurement of 13 Lynx-U2 Naval Gunfire Control Systems at 1,700 crores.
This weapon is built indigenously and is capable of accurately tracking and engaging targets amidst sea clutter along with air and surface targets.
Another 9,100 crores contract was signed by the MoD for Akash Weapon System and WLR Swathi (Plains) for the Indian Army.
According to a release by the MoD, “the contract for procurement of improved Akash Weapon System (AWS) for the 3rd & 4th Regiments of Army Air Defence, comprising live Missiles & Launchers with upgrades, Ground Support Equipment, Vehicles and Infrastructure has signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) worth over Rs 8160 crores.
The contract of WLR Swathi was signed with the BEL at Rs 990 crores. It is indigenously built and is capable of identifying and locating mortars, guns and rockets firing its troops thereby facilitating their destruction by Counter Bombardment by its firepower resources.
“This will enable troops to carry out operational tasks without any interference from the enemy and also provide them safety against enemy fire. The induction is planned to be completed in 24 months.” the release said.
