Navy is heavily dependent on Ukraine for gas turbine engines, while IAF runs Antonov An-32. Spare parts are stocked, but supply from Ukraine may be affected later.
Emergency financial powers besides existing special financial powers have helped the Army make technological upgrades to infantry soldiers along the LoC and LAC.
The 64% allocation under capital acquisition budget amounts to about Rs 70,000 crore and is to be used for purchases from domestic sector. Experts say it will help boost the sector at large.
So far, vice-chiefs of Army, Navy, and deputy chief of air staff were the competent financial authority for capital procurements of up to Rs 300 crore.
Aero India website shows that only 75 foreign companies have booked their spots for the event at Bengaluru as opposed to the over 200 such firms in the 2019 edition.
India has awarded a $200 million contract to Israel for supplying an undisclosed number of SPICE bomb-guidance kits, and between 300 and 320 Spike-Long Range Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.
The Mig-29 jets purchased by India will be upgraded to latest version before they arrive here. IAF will also place an order for 83 LCA Mk 1A and 12 more Su 30 MKI this fiscal.
Addressing a press conference two days before IAF Day, Bhadauria said leasing has got nothing to do with budget constraints, is an evolution of defence acquisition processes.
The first 20,000 AK 203 rifles will be imported from Russia at a cost of about Rs 80,000 a piece. The rest are to be manufactured in India as part of a joint venture.
Most of India’s defence programmes take about two decades before being fielded. For whatever reason this has become the norm, it is no longer sustainable.
Until now, units operating even in recognised industrial areas needed a separate factory licence. The move is expected to especially give a boost to small and medium enterprises.
As Narendra Modi becomes India’s second-longest consecutively serving Prime Minister, we look at how he compares with Indira Gandhi across four key dimensions.
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