INDIA on Friday sealed five major defence acquisition contracts worth Rs 39,125 crore including procurement of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, radars, weapon systems and aero-engines for MiG-29 jets as part of efforts to boost the combat capabilities of the armed forces. The mega procurement projects were firmed up amid India’s lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh, and they will be implemented under the broad framework of the Government’s policy to boost domestic defence manufacturing. The contracts for the procurement of the platforms and weapons systems were signed in presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, under whose guidance these deals fructified, an official readout said.

 

“These deals will further strengthen indigenous capabilities, save foreign exchange and reduce dependency on foreign origin equipment manufactures in future,” it said. Two separate deals were firmed up for procurement of Brahmos missiles. The first one is for procurement of BrahMos missiles from the BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd (BAPL) at a cost of Rs 19,518.65 crore. “These missiles would be utilised to meet combat outfit and training requirements of the Indian Navy,” the Defence Ministry said.

 

The second contract is for procurement of the ship-borne BrahMos system from the BAPL at a cost of Rs 988 crore.

These missiles would be the Indian Navy’s primary weapon for maritime strike operations and the weapons would be fitted onboard various frontline warships. The system is capable of hitting land or sea targets from extended ranges with pinpoint accuracy at supersonic speeds, the Ministry said. The deal for procurement of RD-33 Aero Engines for MiG-29 aircraft was signed with state-run aerospace giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the cost of the project would be Rs 5,249.72 crore. The Ministry said the aero engines will be produced by the Koraput Division of the HAL.