Defence proposal for Rs 6,900 cr cleared

The Armed Forces have got the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) go-ahead to buy critical equipment worth Rs 6,900 crore used in battle and for surveillance. The meeting was  chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The equipment includes Thermal Imaging (TI) Night Sights for the Rocket Launcher that helps in accurate targeting of enemy bunkers in complete darkness. Used by the Army and the Air Force, they will be bought through established Indian vendors in effort to boost indegenisation, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

“The TI sight for 84mm RL will be used by troops in operations to facilitate accurate and continuous engagement of moving and static enemy targets and destruction of field fortifications (bunkers) during hours of complete darkness,” the statement said.

The DAC also approved the design and development of the Long Range Dual Band Infrared Imaging Search and Track System (IRST) for SU-30 MKI aircraft, and subsequently, for procurement of at least 100 IRSTs. “In the last eight months alone, the DAC has pursued modernisation of the armed forces with greater vigour and has accorded major thrust on indigenisation,” statement added.