Indian Defense Minister clears 2 procurement proposals worth Rs 1714 cr to arm Navy and IAF

In an effort to strengthen Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF), Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday cleared two procurement proposals worth of Rs 1714 crore.

For the Indian Air Force, the minister approved the purchase of laser-guided bombs that can hit a target accurately whereas more Israeli Barak surface-to-air missiles would be procured for navy’s frontline warships.

The first proposal was related to procurement of 240 bombs at a cost of Rs 1254 crore from JSC Rosonboron Exports, Russia.

These bombs, which fall under the category of Precision Guided Munitions will be used by Indian Air Force (IAF). This procurement will address the deficiency of Precision Guided Munitions in the IAF arsenal, besides enhancing the offensive capabilities, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Ahead of the scheduled visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ministry also permitted procurement of 131 Barak missiles and associated equipment, under an option clause from Israel’s Rafael Advance Defence Systems Ltd, Israel, at a cost of Rs 460 crore.This proposal pertaining to these missiles are surface -to-air missiles designed to be used as a ship-borne anti-missile defence system against anti-ship missiles.

These missiles are surface to air missiles designed to be used as a ship-borne anti-missile defence system against anti-ship missiles.

UNI