Defence buys worth Rs1,900 cr cleared, include anti-terror equipment

The defence ministry has approved acquisitions worth Rs1,900 crore, which including augmenting equipment for low-intensity warfare in Jammu and Kashmir.

Among the proposals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Wednesday are Rs330 crore worth of electronic warfare systems for Jammu and Kashmir. The decision comes days after attack on the Army camp in Uri killing 18 soldiers.

''With terrorist elements in Kashmir and across the border taking recourse to advanced communication systems, this move implies a thrust to acquire the best communications infrastructure as a robust counter terror measure,'' a defence ministry official reportedly said.

The EWS comprises surveillance devices, jammers and other equipment to enable surveillance of the enemy's radio and data transmissions, gathering intelligence across the electromagnetic spectrum and deploying counter tactics by sophisticated jamming and other such methods including setting up of a reliable and secure radio network.

The army's proposal to get more anti-tank munitions for practice fire was also approved. This will cost Rs 405 crore.

A repair facility will be setup for the new submarine Scorpene in the Naval dockyard. The facility will come up at a cost of Rs725 crore. Six Scorpene submarines are under various stages of construction.

A second weapon repair facility will come up in Port Blair for the frontline warships that operation in the area. It will cost Rs450 crore.