Ministry of Defense Approved the purchase of indigenous weapons worth Rs 4.5 crore

New Delhi, Dt
As part of promoting Make-in-India in the defense sector, the Ministry of Defense has set up Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Including 15 light utility helicopters from Rs. It has approved the purchase of domestically manufactured weapons worth Rs 4.5 crore. The approval was given at a meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council, the apex body of the defense ministry, which examined the possibility of jointly producing Kamov-3T light helicopters with Russia.
The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), the apex body of the Ministry of Defense, which decides on arms procurement in the country, held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the use of light utility helicopters (LUH) Kamov-3T, important for the Army and Air Force, fire control systems for naval forces. And approved the purchase of locally manufactured weapons, including upgrading Dornier aircraft for coastal surveillance. Kamov-3T helicopters are expected to replace the decades-old Cheetah and Chetak helicopters in the Indian Army.
DAC has appointed Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. as the chairman of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. To increase the naval detection, tracking and engagement capabilities of 15 LUHs, Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) instead of importing guns for Lynx U5 fire control system and warships, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) has approved the purchase of indigenous SRGM.
The Defense Ministry said all arms procurement proposals are centered under the Make-in-India initiative and the design, development and production of these weapons will take place in India. The LUH Kamov-3T project is very important for India, as it will replace the fleet of decades-old Leopard and Chetak helicopters of the Army and Air Force. In the last 10 years, an estimated 12 Cheetah and Chetak helicopters have crashed and some pilots have died. Of the 12 LUHs approved by the DAC, six are for the Army and six for the Air Force. HAL expects the Army and Air Force to place a joint order of approximately 15 light helicopters in the coming years, including 12 for the Army and 21 for the Air Force. The design of the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters is more than 50 years old. So now it is time to add new helicopters to its place.
In addition, India is exploring the possibility of producing Russian Kamov-3T light helicopters in India. However, in the સાથે 1 billion program with Russia, Russia will supply 20 helicopters in flyover mode, while the remaining 150 will be manufactured in India. The Army, Air Force and Navy have jointly stated the need for 200 light helicopters.