Indian Defense Procurement Update
(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 22, 2004)
--UPGRADATION OF T-72 TANKS
Government proposes to upgrade entire fleet of T-72 tanks held by field formations of the Army.
Major Schemes undertaken/being considered for upgradation of T-72 tank include installation of Auto Land Navigation System, new Engines for upgrading mobility, upgradation of protection, Image Intensifier Night Sights, Thermal Imager Fire Control System / Thermal Imager Stand Alone System for upgrading of fire power. These schemes are likely to be completed upto the year 2008-2009.
HVF has already undertaken upgradation of T-72 tanks. The Defence Research and Development Organisation designed upgrade, Combat Improved Ajeya (CIA) incorporates six additional features of which three have already been introduced and HVF has started supplying T-72 upgrades with these additional features.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri SPM Syed Khan in Rajya Sabha today.
--PURCHASE OF MIG – 29 K FIGHTERS
A contract for the purchase of 16 MiG 29K aircraft from Russian Federation for the Indian Navy was signed on Jan 20, 2004. The value of the contract is 740.350 million US dollars. The delivery of the aircraft will commence from June 2007.
The induction of MiG 29K aircraft would provide integral air capability to the Navy for airborne missions at sea at extended ranges from coast line. Offensive air strike against shore targets would be in direct support of land operations by the Army.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Gireesh Kumar Sanghi in Rajya Sabha today.
--AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM PROJECT
Government approved a programme for indigenous development of an Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system adopting the state-of-the-art technologies. This is different programme than the eaerlier project on Air Surveillance Platform.
Committee has been constituted to study the platforms for the above system. A committee of experts from Indian Air Force & Defence Research and Development Organisation was constituted in May 2002 to define system configuration, its role and broad operational requirements.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri K Rama Mohana Rao in Rajya Sabha today
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