India's Defence Ministry boosts spending with new procurement approvals

India's Defence Acquisition Council has sanctioned ten major proposals for acquiring advanced defence equipment, according to a recent announcement by the Ministry of Defence.

The approved contracts total approximately $17.3 billion, with the majority of the equipment being designed, developed, and manufactured within India, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Among the key approvals is the procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCV) tanks aimed at modernizing the Indian Army's tank fleet. The FRCV will be a state-of-the-art main battle tank equipped with enhanced mobility, off-road capability, multi-layered defence systems, precise firepower, and real-time situational awareness.

While unofficial sources suggest the acquisition may involve around 1,700 tanks, no specific delivery timeline has been provided.

Additionally, the council has approved the purchase of air defence fire control radars to detect and track aerial threats and the establishment of a tracked advanced repair team for a mechanized infantry battalion and an armoured regiment.

In July, India allocated $75 billion in the Union budget for 2024-25 for defence spending. This substantial outlay includes a significant portion earmarked for modernizing the armed forces through the procurement of weapons, systems, and equipment from domestic suppliers, in line with the country’s goal of achieving self-reliance in defence capabilities.