Will Buying Indian Arms Strengthen India?

A nod worth Rs. 70,000 crore

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved a capital purchase totaling more than Rs 70,500 crore under the Buy Indian IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Made) category.

The Majority

The Indian Navy's portion of the total proposals is more than Rs 56,000 crore, with the majority going towards the purchase of BrahMos missiles, Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, and Utility Helicopters-Maritime.

The purchase of a BrahMos missile system will undoubtedly improve the Navy's ability to launch strikes and conduct anti-surface warfare operations.

Shakti EW equipment will aid front-line naval ships in thwarting enemy naval activities.

The Navy's operational readiness in search and rescue missions, casualty evacuation, and humanitarian assistance will be improved by the utility helicopters.

India is attempting to develop and produce such engines by approving the Medium Speed Marine Diesel Engine under the Make-I category.

The Indian Coast Guard will purchase Advance Light Helicopters (ALH) MK-III, which will be equipped with a variety of surveillance sensors for improved surveillance capabilities even at night.

What is available to IAF?

The Long Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW) proposed by the Indian Air Force for indigenous designing, development, and integration on SU-30 MKI aircraft was approved.

What will the Army receive?

The Army will get 307 advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS), Dhanush Gun Systems, and K-9 Vajra-T Gun Systems as part of the artillery modernization initiative.

The 155mm/52 calibre ATAGS was created by DRDO in conjunction with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems, who would be handling production.

The push for AtmaNirbhar

The total amount approved for capital acquisition in 2022-2023 has now surpassed Rs 2.71 lakh crores with Thursday's approvals. The procurement will be made from Indian industries in over 99% of the cases.

'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' will be the driving force behind Indian industry, according to Rajnath, who said that this volume of domestic purchases will do so.

Yet, there are worries among defence professionals who believe that given India's growing border security threats from Pakistan and China, this indigenous push may result in a shortage of a sufficient supply of high-quality defence supplies for the Indian military.