Nirmala Sitharaman clears procurement of weapons for IAF, Navy
Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is standing true on her promise of modernization and improving military preparedness. To aid the IAF and Navy, Sitharaman has cleared proposals worth Rs. 1,700cr. The government will purchase 240 precisions-guided bombs and 131 Barak missiles from Israel. Interestingly, the procurement announcement from Israel comes days before PM Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to India. Here's all about it!
How will the weapons improve India's military capabilities?
How will these aid military capabilities? Laser-guided bombs are acquired for the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. They were brought from Russian agency JSC Rosoboronexpert for Rs. 1,200cr. The bombs will "enhance IAF's offensive capabilities." The surface-to-air Barak missiles for the Indian Navy will be used as ship-borne anti-missile defense system against anti-ship missiles. These were purchased from Israel's Rafael Advance Defence Systems for Rs. 460cr.
What is the significance of this procurement?
The Barak-I missiles will arm the anti-defense system's earlier version that was installed in 14 Indian warships during the Kargil conflict. Another anti-missile defense system Barak-8 has been developed under the long-overdue joint project between DRDO and Israeli Aerospace Industries. These procurements aim to replenish our armed forces as tensions with China and Pakistan are at a peak.
