S-400 system delivery from Oct 2020

Sixty-seven contracts, worth about Rs.165,590 crore, have been signed with foreign vendors for capital procurement of defence equipment for Armed Forces during the last three years as of October 2018.

Also signed were 121 contracts worth Rs.73,918 crore with Indian vendors for defence equipment procurement, Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on 2 Jan 2019.

The defence acquisition included Radars, Aircraft, Rockets, Artillery Guns, Helicopters, Missiles, Ballistic Helmets, Bullet Proof Jackets, Weapons, Simulators and Ammunition.

He pointed out that DPP-2016 focuses on institutionalizing, streamlining and simplifying defence procurement procedure to give a boost to the “Make in India” initiative.

It promotes indigenous design, development and manufacturing of defence equipment, platforms, systems and sub-systems.

He assured that the Defence Ministry is committed to the objectives of DPP-2016.

Meanwhile, the Government has also promulgated the policy of Strategic Partnership in the Defence Sector which encourages participation of the private sector in manufacture of major defence platforms and equipment in four selected segments viz. Submarines, Fighter Aircraft, Helicopters and Armoured Fighting Vehicles/Tanks.

Dr Bhamre said the delivery of S-400 system from Russia will commence from October 2020 and will be completed by April 2023.

This is under a contract signed on 5 October 2018.

The system will provide a very capable air defence coverage to Vulnerable Areas and Vulnerable Points (VAs/VPs).

The Government is aware of all developments that may impact procurement of defence equipment and it takes sovereign decision based on threat perception, operational and technological aspects to keep the Armed Forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges, he stressed. fiinews.com