from-missiles-to-radars-mod-s-big-move-towards-aatma-nirbhar-bharat-in-defence

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken a significant stride towards bolstering India's defense capabilities and promoting indigenous manufacturing with the signing of five major capital acquisition contracts worth Rs 39,125.39 crore on March 1, 2024, in New Delhi.

 

These contracts were exchanged in the presence of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, marking a milestone in the 'Aatmanirbharta in Defence' initiative and the Make-in-India campaign.

 

Among the contracts, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) secured one for the procurement of Aero-engines for MiG-29 aircraft, Larsen & Toubro Limited clinched two for the acquisition of Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) and High-Power Radar (HPR), and BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) secured two for the procurement of BrahMos missiles and Shipborne BrahMos system for the Indian Defence Forces.

 

The contract for RD-33 Aero Engines for MiG-29 aircraft, valued at Rs 5,249.72 crore, will be executed by HAL's Koraput Division under Transfer of Technology (TOT) license from the Russian OEM. This move will significantly enhance the indigenous content of future Repair and Overhaul (ROH) tasks, reducing dependency on foreign origin equipment.

 

Larsen & Toubro Limited's contracts for CIWS (Rs 7,668.82 crore) and HPR (Rs 5,700.13 crore) will boost terminal air defense capabilities and replace existing long-range radars of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with modern Active Aperture Phased Array-based systems, respectively.

 

These contracts are expected to generate significant employment opportunities, benefitting the aerospace, defence, and associated industries. BAPL's contracts for the procurement of BrahMos missiles (Rs 19,518.65 crore) and Shipborne BrahMos system (Rs 988.07 crore) will meet combat outfit and training requirements of the Indian Navy while enhancing maritime strike operations capabilities.

 

These projects are anticipated to generate substantial employment across various sectors, including joint ventures and ancillary industries. Overall, these contracts signify a major step towards achieving self-reliance in defence production, fostering indigenous manufacturing capabilities, and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

 

1. "From Missiles to Radars: MoD's Big Move Towards Self-Reliance in Defence"

They also highlight the government's commitment to promoting domestic industries and creating employment opportunities in line with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision.