"India Launches Ambitious Defence Projects Valued at Rs. 1.4 Trillion"

India is on the verge of granting preliminary approval for three significant indigenous defence projects, valued at approximately Rs. 1.4 trillion. The projects include the construction of another aircraft carrier, procurement of 97 Tejas fighters, and acquisition of 156 Prachand light combat helicopters, according to a report by The Times of India (TOI).

The Defence Acquisitions Council, led by Rajnath Singh, is expected to initiate the "acceptance of necessity (AoN)"-the initial step in the procurement process-during a meeting scheduled for November 30. Subsequent to the AoNs, the procurement process will advance to tendering and commercial negotiations, ultimately leading to the submission of the three deals to the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval.

The key components of these projects include the procurement of 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighters, with an estimated cost of around Rs. 55,000 crore. These fighters are crucial for bolstering the Indian Air Force's fighter squadrons, addressing the existing shortfall, and complementing the 83 jets already ordered from Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

The construction of the second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2), expected to be undertaken at the Cochin Shipyard, comes with a price tag of approximately Rs 40,000 crore. Following the "repeat order" model of INS Vikrant (IAC-1), the construction of IAC-2, boasting a tonnage of 44,000 tonnes, is projected to take 8-10 years. The carrier-based aircraft needs of India are currently met by the MiG-29K jets, with plans for additional acquisition of Rafale-Marine fighter jets.

The third component involves the acquisition of 156 Prachand helicopters, costing around Rs 45,000 crore. These helicopters are designated for offensive operations in high-altitude areas such as the Siachen Glacier and eastern Ladakh. Equipped with various weaponry, these helicopters will complement the existing fleet procured under a previous contract.

Despite budgetary constraints influencing the decision to opt for a smaller electric-propulsion IAC-2, the necessity for these defence projects is underscored by China's operation of two aircraft carriers and the construction of two more. In contrast, the United States possesses 11 nuclear-powered carriers, each capable of carrying a significant complement of fighters and aircraft. Therefore, these defence projects play a pivotal role in enhancing India's military preparedness.

BS