India will buy arms worth Rs 2,290 crore, the Centre's defense ministry approved the proposal

- Tensions were running high with China and Pakistan

New delhi date. Tuesday 29 September 2020

Amid mounting tensions with China over the Line of Actual Control, the Union Defense Ministry has approved a proposal to buy military equipment worth Rs 2,290 crore. The proposal included a plan to buy 72,000 assault rifles from the United States.

Members of the Supreme Committee Defense Acquisition Procedure were present at the Defense Ministry meeting on Monday. A proposal to procure new military equipment was tabled at the meeting in view of the rising tension on the border.

A spokesman for the Department of Defense said the materials approved included US assault rifles as well as anti-airfield weapon systems worth Rs 970 crore for the air force. The meeting, chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, approved a proposal to procure military equipment worth a total of Rs 2,290 crore, the official said.

The official further said that Rs 780 crore Sig Soar rifles would be procured for the soldiers on the front line. There were also plans to purchase a home-made static high frequency trans-receiver set. The back of this trans-receiver set will cost Rs 540 crore. This radio set will be useful for communication between the ground forces and the air force. Smart anti-airfield weapons will be useful for both the Navy and the Air Force.

An order had been placed for the American Siege Soar Rifles. 72 thousand rifles had been found before. Another 72,000 rifles were due.

"Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has intensified the process of procurement of defense equipment and has made arrangements so that no more time is wasted in procuring the required materials after the uniforms are issued," the defense spokesperson said.