India’s Defense Upgrades: Faster Purchases and Better Equipment!

India is making big moves to upgrade its defense system. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved plans to buy new military equipment worth over Rs 54,000 crore. This will strengthen the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

For the Army, the DAC has agreed to buy 1,350 horsepower engines for the T-90 tanks. These new engines will replace the current 1,000 horsepower engines, making the tanks faster and more powerful, especially in tough mountain areas.

The Navy will get more Varunastra torpedoes, which are a special weapon to help fight enemy submarines. This advanced technology is made in India and will make the Navy’s underwater defense stronger.

The Air Force will receive new Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft systems. These smart planes will help pilots see and understand what is happening in battle, making them more effective in missions.

Speeding Up Defense Purchases

The Defence Ministry is also working to speed up how they buy military equipment. In the past, they faced many delays, like with the Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines. Now, they plan to cut the buying time from 96 weeks (two years) to just 24 weeks (six months).

To do this, they have made some important changes:

– Request for Proposal (RFP): The armed forces will now prepare their buying requests at the same time they seek approval for purchases. This will save time.

– Field Tests: Testing equipment usually takes a long time. Now, they will try to finish tests faster by using simulated conditions instead of waiting for real-world conditions.

– Contract Talks: Negotiations with suppliers will now have a strict time limit of six months to finish the discussions. This will help avoid long delays in finalizing deals.

Once everything is approved by the finance ministry, the deals will quickly move to the Prime Minister for the final thumbs-up.

Keeping Costs in Check and Holding People Accountable

The Defence Ministry’s goal isn’t just to buy faster; they also want to be more accountable. Delays often lead to higher prices for equipment. The new rules are meant to keep everyone responsible so that if prices go up due to delays, both the armed forces and the ministry will be held accountable.

Major defense projects like the Rafale jets and additional Scorpene submarines have faced delays and price hikes before. By setting strict deadlines and doing certain processes together, the government wants to make sure the military gets what it needs quickly and reliably.

These new approvals and changes show India is serious about improving its defense. With faster purchasing, better technology, and less red tape, the country is working hard to modernize its armed forces!