New Delhi: In the middle of an intense standoff with China, the Indian defence ministry has approved a procurement of fighter jets, missile systems and weapons at a cost of Rs 38,900 crore to improve the combat capability of the Indian armed forces, said officials.
According to reports, 21 MiG-29 fighter jets are being bough from Russia and 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The existing fleet of 59 MiG-29 fighter jets would also be upgraded.
The proposals for defence procurement and upgradation were approved during a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The DAC has also approved the procurement of long range cruise missile systems with a range of 1,000 kms and the dreaded Astra Missiles for the Navy and Air Force.
“While acquisition of Pinaka missile systems will enable raising additional regiments over and above the ones already inducted, addition of long range land attack missile systems having a firing range of 1000 KM to the existing arsenal will bolster the attack capabilities of the Navy and the Air Force,” said a defence ministry official while speaking to the media.
“Similarly induction of Astra Missiles having beyond visual range capability will serve as a force multiplier and immensely add to the strike capability of the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force,” he added.
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