India Fortifies Defence: Army Bags ₹1,577 Cr Loiter Munition Deal!
India Fortifies Defence: Army Bags ₹1,577 Cr Loiter Munition Deal!
Indian Army boosts precision-strike capabilities with new ₹1,577 crore loiter munition contracts under 'Buy Indian' initiative. A major step for national security & indigenous defence!
In a significant move to bolster its defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence on Friday signed contracts worth ₹1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and NIBE Ltd. This landmark agreement, processed under the 'Buy Indian' category, will equip the Indian Army with 84 loiter munition systems and 840 loiter munitions, greatly enhancing its precision-strike prowess.
The newly acquired systems will enable the Army to engage targets with high accuracy at ranges of up to 100 kilometers. This procurement is crucial for bridging a current gap, as the Army's precision-strike capability beyond the 40-50 km range has largely relied on BrahMos missiles. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was present in New Delhi for the signing of these pivotal contracts.
A key highlight of this deal is its commitment to indigenous manufacturing, with the procurement mandating 60% overall indigenous content, including a minimum of 50% in materials, components, and software. This aligns perfectly with the government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, providing a substantial boost to the domestic defence industry.
TASL, identified as the L-1 vendor, will supply 54 loiter munition systems and 540 munitions for ₹1,013.77 crore. NIBE, the L-2 vendor, will contribute 30 systems and 300 munitions at a cost of ₹563.36 crore. The Ministry of Defence emphasized that this acquisition will significantly improve the operational effectiveness of Artillery Regiments.
Existing Artillery units have already operationalized a limited number of loiter munition systems in Phase-I. With this latest procurement, more units are slated to be equipped, further strengthening the Army's strategic capabilities. The delivery of this essential equipment is expected within 12 months from the date of advance payment, ensuring a swift upgrade to India's defence readiness.
