MoD clears Rs 460-bn purchase of missiles, guns and naval helicopters

In a badly-needed fillip to Army firepower, the DAC approved the manufacture of 150 indigenously designed and developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems

The defence ministry’s apex procurement body, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), accorded approval on Saturday for acquisitions worth about Rs 460 billion. This includes missiles and two types of helicopters for the Navy, and artillery guns for the Army. 

The biggest procurement green-lighted today is the Rs 217.38 billion purchase of 111 naval utility helicopters (NUH), which will be built by a competitively chosen Indian private sector company. 

"This is the first project under the MoD's prestigious Strategic Partnership (SP) Model that aims at providing significant fillip to the government's 'Make in India' programme. SP Model envisages indigenous manufacturing of