Defence Minister clears Rs 2.12 lakh crore defence proposals: What will the Army, Navy and Air Force get?

India has cleared defence procurement proposals worth Rs 2.12 lakh crore, with around 82% of the purchases set to be sourced from domestic industry, the Defence Ministry said on Monday. The approvals, granted by the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, include light multi-role helicopters and long-range Kamikaze drone systems.

What will Indian Army?

• High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs): Improve operational capabilities, logistics support and mobility in challenging terrains.
• Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System: Provide mechanised formations with matching mobility and firepower.
• Gun Shot Response System (GSRS): Enhance real-time situational awareness of forces.
• Light Multi-Role Helicopters (LMRH): Support reconnaissance, surveillance, combat, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations for the Army and Air Force.
• Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS): Engage new-generation, small-sized aerial threats.
• Platform-Based Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS): Enhance the survivability of tanks on the modern battlefield.
• Unmanned Aerial System Brick Long Range: Included in the approved procurement list.
• Surveillance UAV: Strengthen surveillance capabilities.
• Integrated Surveillance and Strike System: Enhance surveillance and targeting capabilities.
• Long-Range Kamikaze Drone System: Strengthen the Army’s surveillance and targeting capabilities.

What will Indian Navy get?

• Active Offboard Decoy System (AODS): Strengthen anti-missile defence, particularly against adversaries’ modern anti-ship missiles.
• Major naval platforms: Indigenously designed and constructed platforms equipped with modern warfare capabilities to enhance the Indian Navy’s combat strength.

What will Indian Air Force?

• Helicopters, air defence systems and weapons: Strengthen the Indian Air Force’s air defence and combat capabilities.
• Special Utility Helicopters: Help meet critical air transport requirements.
• Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar System: Provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹ 770 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to procure Improved Low Level Light Weight Radar (LLLR-I) for the Indian Army on Wednesday. According to the statement released by the ministry, the LLLR(I) system has the capability to detect and track fighter size targets and mini/micro drones as well as prioritising aerial targets. The radars would enable the armed forces to counter the threat of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The ministry said the procurement would mark a significant step towards indigenisation of air-defence platforms while bolstering the country’s defence manufacturing sector — including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) — to become self-reliant and globally competitive.