Kolkata: Since the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed, the Indian Army is making all efforts to strengthen its capabilities when it comes to countering terrorism. On June 23, the Defence Ministry announced that 13 priority contracts had been completed under its Emergency Procurement (EP) mechanism.
The total value of those contracts is Rs 1,981.9 crore. The deals have been sanctioned under the total allocation of Rs 2,000 crore and they aim to increase the operational readiness in places prone to insurgency. As per the official statement of the ministry, the procurements would meet immediate operational needs by improving combat lethality, situational awareness, troop protection, and mobility.
Several modern systems and platforms are there in the contracts including Low-Level Lightweight Radars (LLLR), Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems (IDDIS), Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicles (RPAVs), Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), various categories of surveillance and combat drones, loitering munitions including Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) system, bulletproof jackets, ballistic helmets, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles (QRFVs), and night sights for rifles.
These procurements would arm the Army with advanced, fully indigenous technologies which are immensely important in the changing landscape of modern warfare. The emergency procurement mechanism which has been used earlier to acquire ammunition, communications gear, weapons, and is crucial to solving urgent capability gaps and to fast-track deliveries of critical assets necessary for operation.
India-China tension leads to military build-up
The ongoing tensions between India and China in the border areas have resulted in a significant military build-up in Ladakh. According to recent satellite imagery, China has deployed the HQ-16 air defence system near Pangong Tso Lake. It is a significant threat to India, as this medium-range surface-to-air missile system has a range of 40-70 kilometres.
The system of the HQ-16 is based on Russian Buk technology and it can bring down missiles, fighter jets, drones, and precision-guided munitions. It has an advanced 3D radar system which can autonomously guide missiles and stop jamming attempts. As a result, the Defence Ministry has undertaken a significant emergency procurement drive.
