In a mega boost for the Indian Navy and surveillance capabilities of the defence forces, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the major deals.
India Clears Mega Deals Worth Rs 80,000 Crore
In a mega boost for the Indian Navy and surveillance capabilities of the defence forces, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the major deals for building two nuclear submarines indigenously and buying 31 Predator drones from the US. As per the plans, the Indian Navy will get two nuclear-powered attack submarines which will help boost its capabilities manifold in the Indian Ocean Region.
The deal for building the two submarines at the Ship Building Centre in Vishakhapatnam will be around Rs 45,000 crore and will see a major involvement of private sector firms like Larsen and Toubro. India has plans of having six such boats in the long run as part of its submarine induction plans.
These boats which are going to be built under the ambitious Project Advanced Technology Vessel project, are separate from the five nuclear submarines being built under the Arihant class at the same location.
The other mega deal cleared today by the Cabinet Committee on Security is for the acquisition of 31 Predator drones from American General Atomics under a Foreign Military Sales contract between the two governments. The Indian Navy will get 15 of the 31 drones while the Army and the IAF will get eight each and also deploy them together at two bases in Uttar Pradesh.
US Approves $175 Million Sale of MK-54 Torpedoes to India
The United States government has approved the sale of 53 MK-54 lightweight torpedoes to India. These torpedoes, valued at $175 million, are intended for use with the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters that the Indian Navy is currently bringing into service. The Biden administration notified the US Congress on Monday about this sale. The notification mentioned that the sale aligns with Washington’s foreign policy and national security goals.
It is aimed at strengthening the strategic relationship between the US and India, a key partner in ensuring political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions. The Indian Navy commissioned its first squadron of six MH-60R Seahawk helicopters in March at INS Garuda in Kochi. These helicopters are equipped with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes, and precision-kill rockets. India plans to have all 24 Seahawks, which include multi-mode radars and night-vision devices, by next year. This is part of a $2.13 billion contract signed with the US in February 2020.
