GoI clears defence proposals worth over Rs 30,000 crore
Government of India has cleared defence proposals worth over Rs 30,000 crore at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, in New Delhi on Tuesday. The deals also include purchasing of 428 guns under ‘buy and make’ category, which is likely to cost an exchequer Rs 16,900 crore and is being viewed as a major priority for the Indian Army. For this purpose, the government is keen towards the local companies and was also said to have sought representations from the local makers. However, only two Indian companies Punj Llyod and Bharat Forge were said to have responded to the army request for information on the procurement plan. Besides, the Ministry of Defence was also said to have cleared another deal over purchase of military equipment worth $4.74 billion, which also includes purchase of four long-range patrol aircraft from the US aerospace giant Boeing. Boeing was also said to have entered into agreement with Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) in a move towards collaboration in aerospace and defence manufacturing which also includes manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles. Through this deal that remains in line with ‘Make in India’ move, the companies are keen to cover international markets along side domestic markets. "This agreement with TAS Ltd is significant because it demonstrates Boeing's commitment to expanding its aerospace manufacturing footprint in India," Shelley Lavender, president, Boeing Military Aircraft, was quoted to have said in a Boeing statement. Pratyush Kumar, president for Boeing India, feels this as a move for new aerospace partnership with India involving ‘Making in India’ process and he was also said to have informed that TAS Ltd will produce Chinook Helicopter parts in India even before the procurement contract is signed with the Indian government.
July 15, 2015 | 7:30 pm IST.
to success.