In a major boost to the aging Air Defence of the Indian Army, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday cleared the procurement of three regiments of Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAMs). The Indian Army will be floating tenders to replace its obsolete Russian Kvadrat missile systems. (The three units will be inducted in the 12th five year plan, while the rest five units will be inducted in the next five year plan).
The focus on the obsolete air defence came following the leak of the confidential letter written by former Indian Army Chief General VK Singh in March. The letter pointed out that 97 percent of the Air Defence of the force has become obsolete.
Various other procurements were considered during the 2 hour-long marathon meeting attended by the three Defence Minister, Minister of State for Defence, Service Chiefs and Defence Secretary. Other projects cleared include-
1. Procurement of 14 Dornier aircraft of the Indian Air Force from public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) valuing around Rs. 1,000 crore
2. After the success of the pilot project of the Air Force
Network (AFNET), plans to implement it across the country was also approved at the
cost of Rs 7000 crore
3. Proposals of the Navy and the Coast Guard to procure 116 30 mm surface guns for their warships were also approved.
there should be a secretary army .navy and airforce and they should be held accountable since the rules of business specify the defence secratary being responsible for the defence
ReplyDeleteof india.