By Team IDI

Through procurement of new equipment and upgrading of existing equipment and systems, the government is taking measures for modernization of the armed forces, stated the government in the Parliament.

 

The modernization projects are being progressed as per the approved Capital Acquisition Plans and in terms of the extant Defence Procurement Procedure, stated Union Minister of State Dr Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on January 2.

 

Since the launch of ‘ Make in  India’ in September 2014, several measures have been taken by the Government to promote indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence & aerospace equipment in the country under  ‘Make in India’ by harnessing the capabilities of the public and private sector. During the last three years and up to October 2018, out of 188 contracts for procurement of defence equipment for armed forces such as helicopters, survey vessel, radar, ballistic helmets, artillery guns, simulators, missiles, bullet proof jackets, electronic fuzzes and ammunition, 121 contracts have been signed with Indian vendors, the government informed.  

 

The actual expenditure in 2017-18 was Rs 72,732.20 crore which was Rs 66,850.30 in 2013-15 fiscal, the Minister stated while giving details of capital acquisition under Defence Services Estimates (DSE) for the last five years and the current year.