Defence Ministry Clears Army Project Worth Rs 3,300 Crore Under ‘Make In India’ Initiative

The Defence Ministry on Monday cleared an Army project for acquiring third-generation anti-tank guided missiles from the private sector industry under 'Make in India' initiative. The acquisition, cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), will be worth Rs 3,300. “Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today gave approval for Capital Procurement for the Defence forces amounting over Rs 3300 crores of indigenously designed and developed equipment,” a statement issued by the defence ministry said.

According to reports, the three projects, which got the go-ahead, include two third-generation anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) and the auxiliary power units (APUs) for the T-72 and T-90 tanks.

The third-generation anti-tank guided missiles would provide 'fire and forget' and 'top attack' capabilities to the troops in an armoured battle, the auxiliary power units would enable incorporation of various upgrades to fire control system and night fighting capabilities of the tanks.

"Both these projects will be progressed under the 'Make-II' Category and will provide a boost to indigenous research and development in the private sector," the ministry said.

"With this, for the first time the Ministry of Defence has offered complex military equipment to be designed, developed and manufactured by the Indian private companies," the statement said.

The third indigenous project pertains to discrete electronic warfare (EW) systems for the mountain and high altitude terrain, which would be designed and developed by DRDO and manufactured by design cum production partner from the Indian industry.