India approves buying $5.46 billion in military equipment

Clears acquisition of missiles, electronic warfare systems and kamikaze drones for military

India on Friday approved the purchase of a range of military equipment for its defence forces worth $5.46 billion, including missiles, electronic warfare systems and Kamikaze drones.

The acquisition was approved “in principle” by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), comprising top military officers and headed by the defence minister, according to a government statement.

The statement said the estimated cost of the deal would be about Rs520 billion ($5.46 billion).

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It did not specify the period over which the acquisitions would be made or whether the systems approved for purchase would be imported or domestically produced.

Over the last decade, New Delhi has sought to reduce its dependence on Russia, its traditional main supplier of military equipment, by turning to other countries like the United States and France and by boosting domestic production.

The deal included the purchase of anti-drone and electronic warfare systems, medium-range surface-to-air and portable anti-tank missiles and a “Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System” for the Indian army, the government said.

The DAC also approved the procurement of new naval mines, shipborne drones, and a testing facility to strengthen maritime defence and boost surveillance capabilities. India also planned to purchase a high-altitude unmanned aircraft platform for the air force, to be used for intelligence gathering and remote sensing.

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New Delhi’s current defence budget is $85 billion.

A four-day conflict with Pakistan last year, in which India lost seven aircraft, highlighted the need for Delhi to upgrade its defence capabilities.

India is also pushing to rapidly modernise its navy with an eye on Beijing’s growing influence in the key Indian Ocean shipping lanes.

In December, New Delhi began ordering at least 75 ships and submarines, most of them built domestically.

Top officials earlier this year approved the purchase of $39 billion worth of defence equipment, including Rafale jets from France.