Self-Reliance Boost: Govt Finalizes Rs 2,960 Crore Missile Deal with Bharat Dynamics for Indian Navy

Synopsis

The Ministry of Defence has sealed a Rs 2,960 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Ltd for supplying medium-range surface-to-air missiles to the Indian Navy, marking a crucial step towards enhancing India's defense capabilities and promoting indigenous military technology.

Key Takeaways

Contract worth Rs 2,960 crore signed with Bharat Dynamics.
Medium-range surface-to-air missiles will enhance Indian Navy's capabilities.
Supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with indigenous manufacturing.
Expected to generate significant employment in the defense sector.
Significant naval expansions noted by PM Modi.

New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) The Ministry of Defence has recently finalized a significant agreement with Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) for delivering medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM) to the Indian Navy. This deal, valued at around Rs 2,960 crore, aims to enhance India's naval defense capabilities.

The MRSAM system will be a standard installation on various Indian Naval Ships and is intended for integration into most future platforms under consideration for acquisition. This contract represents a pivotal step in the ongoing initiative to strengthen India's defense prowess and promote the indigenization of advanced military technologies, as stated by the Defence Ministry.

In line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, these missiles will be provided by BDL under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category, featuring a predominantly indigenous manufacturing component. The agreement is expected to create around 3.5 lakh man-days of employment in the defense sector, including various MSMEs, according to the statement.

This contract was formalized in Delhi by officials from the Defence Ministry and BDL, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in attendance.

The signing occurred just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three advanced naval combat vessels – the destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri, and submarine INS Vaghsheer – which will significantly bolster India's naval capabilities.

Recognizing the adoption of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) by India's armed forces over the last decade, the Prime Minister commended their efforts to minimize reliance on foreign nations during challenging times. He pointed out that the military has identified over 5,000 items and equipment that will no longer be imported, emphasizing the increased confidence of Indian soldiers using locally manufactured gear.

PM Modi highlighted the establishment of the nation's largest helicopter manufacturing facility in Karnataka and a transport aircraft assembly plant for the forces. He also celebrated the success of the Tejas fighter plane and the creation of defense corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which are propelling defense production forward.

The Prime Minister expressed his approval of the Navy's substantial growth in the Make in India initiative, underscoring the vital contributions of Mazagon Dockyard. He pointed out that 33 ships and seven submarines have been added to the Navy over the past decade, with 39 out of 40 naval vessels constructed in Indian shipyards. This includes the impressive INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines such as INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.

The Prime Minister also congratulated the armed forces for advancing the Make in India movement. He noted that India's defense production has exceeded Rs 1.25 lakh crore and that the nation exports defense equipment to over 100 countries. He expressed confidence in the swift evolution of India's defense sector with ongoing support.