Rajnath Singh (C) along with senor IAF and company officials during the signing of the deals. (Photo: Defence ministry)
New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s self-reliance efforts in the defence sector, the Ministry of Defence signed five major capital acquisition contracts worth ₹39,125.39 crore, on Friday. These deals aim to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities through various acquisitions.
The five contracts the ministry has signed are:
A. One with state-owned plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for procurement of Aero-engines for MiG-29 aircraft.
B. Two with Larsen & Toubro Limited for procurement of close-in weapon system (CIWS) and procurement of high-power radar (HPR).
C. Two with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for procurement of BrahMos missiles and procurement of ship-borne BrahMos system for the Indian armed forces.
As part of ‘Aatmanirbharta in Defence’ and to further boost Make-in-India initiative, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) today signed five major capital acquisition contracts worth Rs 39,125.39 crore in New Delhi.
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) March 1, 2024
The Contracts were exchanged in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri… pic.twitter.com/CEsbsHYxXC
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): The ministry signed a ₹5,249.72 crore contract with HAL for the procurement of RD-33 aero engines for MiG-29 fighter jets. These engines will be produced domestically and will help sustain the operational capability of the Air Force's MiG-29 fleet. The project will also focus on increasing the indigenous content of future repair and overhaul tasks for these engines.
Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T): Two contracts were signed with L&T, worth ₹7,668.82 crore and ₹5,700.13 crore respectively. The first contract is for the procurement of close-in weapon systems (CIWS) to provide terminal air defence for strategic locations. This project will involve active participation of Indian industries, including MSMEs (micro, medium, and small enterprises), and is expected to generate significant employment opportunities.
The second contract is for the procurement of high-power radars (HPR) to replace existing long-range radars with modern technology, significantly enhancing the Air Force’s air-defence capabilities. This project is also expected to boost indigenous radar manufacturing capabilities.
BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL): Two contracts were signed with BAPL, worth ₹19,518.65 crore and ₹988.07 crore respectively. The first contract is for the procurement of BrahMos missiles to meet the combat and training needs of the Indian Navy. This project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities across various sectors. The second contract is for the procurement of the Ship-borne BrahMos system, the Navy’s primary weapon for maritime strike operations. This system offers long-range, high-precision attack capabilities.
These deals are expected to contribute significantly to India’s self-reliance in defence, save foreign exchange, and modernize the country’s military capabilities. The contracts were signed in the presence of the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, and the defence secretary, Giridhar Aramane.
