Boost to Atmanibhar Bharat: Defence Ministry signs four significant deals worth over Rs 32,000 crore

New Delhi, Mar 31: In a major boost to "Atmanirbhar Bharat" in Defence, the government on Thursday signed four significant deals worth over Rs 32, 000 crore, enhancing capabilities of the Army, the Navy and the Indian Air Force.

 

Defence Ministry signed contracts for procurement of improved Akash Weapon System and 12 Weapon Locating Radars, WLR Swathi (Plains) for the Indian Army at an overall cost of over Rs 9,100 crore.

 

 

 

The contract for procurement of improved Akash Weapon System (AWS) for 3rd & 4th Regiments of Army Air Defence, comprising live Missiles & Launchers with upgrades, Ground Support Equipment, Vehicles and Infrastructure was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited, worth over Rs 8,160 crore. Meanwhile, it also inked a contract for WLR Swathi (Plains with BEL at a cost of over Rs 990 crore.

 

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry also signed a deal with Indian shipyards for acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels at a Rs 19,600 crore.

 

The contract for acquisition of 11 OPVs under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category was signed with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata at a total cost of Rs 9,781 crore. Of the 11 ships, seven will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by GSL and four by GRSE. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026.

Officials said that the acquisition of these ships will enable the Indian Navy to maintain its combat capability and meet various operational requirements such as anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, non-combatant evacuation operations, search and rescue (SAR), protection of offshore assets etc.

 

The contract for acquisition of six next generation missile vessels (NGMVs) was signed with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) at a cost of Rs 9,805 crore. The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence from March 2027.

The NGMVs would be heavily armed war vessels incorporating stealth, high speed and offensive capability. The primary role of the ships would be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets.

 

Besides, the Defence Ministry also signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited for procurement of 13 Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems for Indian Navy at a total cost of over Rs 1,700 crore under Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category.

The Lynx-U2 System is a Naval Gun Fire Control System designed and developed indigenously. It is capable of accurately tracking and engaging targets amidst sea clutter as well as air/surface targets.

The 4th generation, completely indigenous systems, will be installed on New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels to be built indigenously at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers and Goa Shipyard Limited.

Apart from this, it inked a contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for procurement of Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (Long range) {NGMMCB (LR)} and BrahMos Missiles at an approximate cost of over Rs 1,700 crore under Buy (Indian) Category. The delivery of NGMMCBs is scheduled to commence from 2027. These systems will be equipped with supersonic BrahMos Missiles and will significantly enhance multi-directional maritime strike capability of Indian Navy.