Navy pinned Pakistan to its shores during Op Sindoor: Rajnath
New Delhi, Oct 23: In the second major decision on procurement following Operation Sindoor, India on Thursday cleared proposals to procure weapons and military hardware worth Rs 79,000 crore, including Nag missiles, amphibious warfare ships and electronic intelligence and surveillance systems, to boost the combat capabilities of the military.
The procurement proposals were cleared at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
It is the second major decision on procurement following Operation Sindoor. Procurement projects worth Rs 67,000 crore were approved on August 5.
The DAC approved various proposals amounting to a total cost of about Rs 79,000 crore, the defence ministry said.
For the Indian Navy, approval was granted for the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), 30-mm Naval Surface Guns (NSGs), Advanced LightWeight Torpedoes (ALWTs), the Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System and Smart Ammunition for 76-mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.
The procurement of LPDs will help the Navy undertake amphibious operations along with the Army and the Air Force, the ministry said.
LPDs are amphibious warfare ships that are used to transport heavy equipment and land troops.
The ministry said the integrated sea capability provided by LPDs will also help the Navy undertake peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster-relief measures etc.
“The induction of ALWT, which is indigenously developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, DRDO is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear and midget submarines,” it said.
The procurement of the 30-mm NSGs will enhance the capability of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard to carry out low-intensity maritime operations and take anti-piracy measures.
For the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the procurement of the Nag missile system (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), the ground-based mobile ELINT (electronic intelligence system) and high-mobility vehicles (HMVs).
The procurement of the NAMIS will enhance the Army’s capability of neutralising the enemy’s combat vehicles, bunkers and other field fortifications, whereas the GBMES will provide round-the-clock electronic intelligence of enemy activities, the ministry said in a statement.
The induction of HMVs will significantly improve logistic support to the forces in diverse geographical terrains, it said.
The DAC approved the procurement of Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It also cleared some other procurement proposals of the IAF.
The CLRTS/DS has the capability of autonomous take-off, landing, navigating, detecting and delivering payload in the mission area.
Meanwhile, hailing the force’s combat readiness, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, the world witnessed the Indian Navy’s strength during Operation Sindoor as its deterrent posture forced Pakistan to remain in the harbour or near its coast.
In an address to the top naval commanders, Singh said Operation Sindoor was a symbol of India’s capability and a message to the world that it is always ready to respond to every challenge.
The defence minister commended the force for creating a “deterrent posture” during the operation that he said forced Pakistan to remain in the harbour or near its coast.
Indian Navy’s carrier battle group, submarines and aviation assets were deployed in the northern Arabian Sea in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
The naval forces remained forward deployed with full readiness to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, during Operation Sindoor.
The defence minister described the Indian Navy’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a matter of “comfort for the friendly nations” and “discomfort for those who seek to destabilise the region”.
“The IOR has become the centre of contemporary geopolitics. It is no longer passive; it has become an area of competition and cooperation,” he said at the Naval Commanders’ conference.
Singh said the Indian Navy, through its multi-dimensional capabilities, has played a leadership role in the region.
“In the last six months, our ships, submarines and Naval aircraft have been deployed at an unprecedented scale. In addition, our Navy has provided safe passage to approximately 335 merchant vessels, equalling approximately 1.2 million metric tons of cargo and a trade value of USD 5.6 billion,” he said.
This, he said, is proof that India has now become a trusted and capable partner in the global maritime economy.
The defence minister also underlined the need to advance naval strategy and thinking in sync with the rapidly evolving world.
“We must work together in three areas: capability, people, and partnerships. Capability means technology and strength; people means sailors and their families; and partnerships mean industries, academia and international cooperation,” he said.
“When these three come together, our Navy will emerge as an even more reliable and powerful force,” he said.
Singh lauded the Indian Navy for enhancing its capabilities through indigenous equipment and emerging as the flag bearer of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
“In the last 10 years, nearly 67 per cent of the Navy’s capital acquisition contracts have been with Indian industries. This proves that we are no longer dependent solely on imports,” he said.
Singh said the Indian Navy is working on 194 innovation and indigenisation projects.
“Today, our Navy has become a pioneer in the country’s self-reliance, innovation, and industrial development,” he said.
