THE Defence Ministry on Monday approved procurement of long range rockets, missiles, radar systems and military platforms worth Rs 79,000 crore to bolster the military’s combat prowess. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, green-lighted the proposals. The DAC approved procurement of loiter munition systems for the Army’s artillery regiments.

 

It also cleared acquisition of low level lightweight radars, longrange guided rocket ammunition for Pinaka rocket system and integrated drone detection and interdiction system (Mk-II) for the Indian Army, the Defence Ministry said. Loiter munition will be used for precision strike of tactical targets,whereaslowlevellightweight radars will detect and track small size, low flying unmanned aerial systems, it said. It said long range guided rockets are being procured to enhance the range and accuracy of Pinaka rocket systems for effective engagement of high value targets.

 

Integrated drone detection and interdiction system (MkII) with enhanced range will protect the vital assets of the Indian Army in tactical battle area and hinterland. For theIndianNavy,approval was accorded forprocurement of high frequency software defined radios (HF SDR) Manpack and for leasing high altitude long range (HALE) remotelypilotedaircraftsystem (RPAS). For the Indian Air Force, approval was given for procurement of automatic take-off landing recording system, Astra Mk-IImissiles, full mission simulator and SPICE-1000 long range guidance kits, etc,it said.