Boost for armed forces: Defense ministry approves Rs.3,000cr for BrahMos
On Saturday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved the procurement of military equipment worth Rs. 3,000cr, reported news agency PTI. The procurement will include BrahMos supersonic cruise missile's for the Indian Navy's two stealth frigates, as well as armored recovery vehicles (ARVs) for the Indian Army's Arjun main battle tank. Here are the details.
The DAC has approved the move
The procurement was given a nod by the Niramala Sitharaman-chaired Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) - the MoD's highest decision-making body on matters of military equipment procurement. The new equipment will come as a major boost for the armed forces in India.
The BrahMos missiles will be equipped on Russian-made frigates
The indigenously developed supersonic BrahMos missiles will serve as the main weapon of two stealth frigates that the Indian Navy is buying from Russia at a cost of $1bn. These Talwar-class missile guided frigates are improved versions of the Krivak III-class frigates that are used by the Russian Coast Guard. The frigates are being designed and developed by Russia.
BrahMos is the world's fastest cruise missile
The BrahMos missile is the fastest cruise missile in the world and was developed jointly by Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The missile can currently reach speeds of Mach 2.8-3, and is being upgraded to reach Mach 5.
The ARVs will be developed by DRDO, manufactured by BEML
Meanwhile, the purchase of armored recovery vehicles (ARVs) will strengthen the Indian army. The ARVs will be designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and will be manufactured by public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). BEML manufactures a variety of heavy equipment used in mining, transport and defense.
