BAE Systems’ guns in Rs.3,687 crore acquisition

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved Capital Acquisition Proposals of the Services valued at over Rs.3,687 crore.

In a boost to indigenisation and in realisation of India’s growing technological prowess, the DAC approved procurement of Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) designed and developed NAG Missile System (NAMIS) at the cost of Rs.524 crore.

The system includes a third generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile, the NAG, along with the Missile Carrier Vehicle (NAMICA).

The NAG missile is a third generation anti-tank guided missile, which has top attack capabilities that can effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day and night.

This will give a quantum boost to the Army’s capability against enemy armour.

The DAC also approved procurement of thirteen 127 mm calibre guns for the Navy at its meeting held in New Delhi on 27 April 2018.

These guns will be fitted on-board new construction ships for undertaking surface engagements including Naval Gunfire Support Operations.

The guns will enable Naval ships to provide fire support and engagement of targets on the land.

These guns have engagement range of 24 kilometres, which could be extended further by using Extended Range Gun Munitions (ERGM).

These guns, a long outstanding requirement of the Navy would be procured from BAE Systems of the United States of America under the categorisation of Buy (Global) at an approximate cost of over Rs.3,000 crore.

The DAC also reviewed the progress of the DRDO programme to develop indigenous Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). fii-news.com