Cabinet Approves Rs 10,200 Cr for Indigenous Pinaka Ammunition
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Synopsis
The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved a procurement of ammunition worth Rs 10,200 crore for the Indian Army's Pinaka system, enhancing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. This includes high-explosive and area denial munitions, with significant battlefield capabilities. The move follows other recent contracts aimed at boosting India's defence capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- Approval of Rs 10,200 crore for Pinaka ammunition.
- Contracts include high-explosive and area denial munitions.
- Order split between public and private sectors.
- Strengthening of India's defence manufacturing.
- Ongoing efforts to enhance defence capabilities.
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) The Cabinet Committee on Security has given the green light for the indigenous procurement of ammunition valued at approximately Rs 10,200 crore for the Indian Army’s Pinaka multi-launcher rocket system, representing a significant step towards the nation’s self-reliance in the defence manufacturing domain, as per senior officials.
The two contracts encompass high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunition costing around Rs 5,700 crore and area denial munitions priced at about Rs 4,500 crore.
The high-explosive pre-fragmented rocket ammunition boasts an extended range of 45 km, while the area denial munitions have a striking distance of 37 km, capable of saturating a battlefield with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
The order will be split between Pune-based Munitions India Limited and a private sector entity.
Munitions India Limited is one of the seven defence firms formed from the former Ordnance Factory Board in 2021, aimed at enhancing efficiency and competitiveness within the country’s defence manufacturing field.
The other entities created include Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, India Optel Limited, Troop Comforts Limited, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, Gliders India Limited, and Yantra India Limited.
This procurement approval follows the Defence Ministry signing a Rs 1,561-crore deal with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, Chennai, to equip the Army with 47 T-72 bridge-laying tanks, facilitating quicker movement of mechanized forces in combat zones. HVF operates under Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited.
On January 16, the Ministry of Defence also finalized a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited for supplying medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM) for the Indian Navy, valued at around Rs 2,960 crore.
The MRSAM system is standard equipment on several Indian Naval vessels and is expected to be integrated into most future platforms slated for acquisition.
This contract signifies a pivotal achievement in the ongoing initiatives to enhance India’s defence capabilities and promote the indigenization of advanced military technology, according to a statement from the Defence Ministry.
India’s annual defence production has exceeded Rs 1.25 lakh crore, with equipment exported to over 100 countries. The target for defence exports has been set at Rs 50,000 crore, according to ministry data.
