New Defence Weapons Approved

• 03 Jul 2020

Why in News

Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved several proposals that will boost the combat capabilities of all three services—Army, Navy and the Air Force.

Key Points

• Proposals: It includes buying of missile systems and additional fighter jets.
  
  • The government will buy 33 aircrafts, which include 21 MiG-29s from Russia, 12 new Sukhoi-30 fighters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
    
    • It also includes upgradation of 59 MiG-29 jets.
  • Under the missile system, the government will buy Pinaka ammunition, Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles, land-attack cruise missile (LACM) systems with a range of 1,000 km among others.
• Cost of Proposal: It will cost around Rs. 39000 crore. The acquisitions from Indian Industry will cost around Rs. 31,130 crore and rest acquisitions will be done from Russia.
• Pinaka Ammunition:
  • It is an all-weather, indirect fire, free flight artillery rocket system developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The Pinaka weapon system consists of Rocket, Multi Barrel Rocket launcher, Battery Command Post, Loader cum Replenishment Vehicle, Replenishment Vehicle and Digicora MET Radar.
• Astra Missiles:
  • Astra missile is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • It is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) system designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft. It has capability to destroy the enemy targets which are beyond their visual range.
  • The missile has all weather day and night capability and will serve as a force multiplier and immensely add to the strike capability of the Navy and Air Force.
• Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile Systems:

• It is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It is aimed at enhancing the firing range of the Brahmos missile from 400-500 km to 1000 km.
• Its features include aerodynamic configuration, vertical launch using solid booster, thrust vector control system, booster separation, in-flight wing deployment, in-flight engine start and long range way-point navigation system”.
• The proposed development of fully indigenous long-range land attack cruise missiles can greatly enhance the operational capability of services.

• MIG 29 Fighter jets:
  • It is a twin-engine, multirole fighter jet, developed by the Soviet Russia in the 1970s. It has been upgraded since.
• Su-30 MKI Fighter jets:
  • The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat supermaneuverable fighter aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation.
  • It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep prohibition missions.

Defence Acquisition Council

• It is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.
• The Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Council.
• It was formed, after the Group of Ministers recommendations on 'Reforming the National Security System', in 2001, post Kargil War (1999).

Source: IE