Over Rs 7K-cr for making advanced communication system; over Rs 400-cr for purchasing hand granades
With the objective of improving the communication system network of the armed forces and boosting their fighting capabilities in the backdrop of the volatile situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and the Line of Control (LOC), the Government on Thursday inked two deals worth over Rs 8,000 crore. They include establishment of the Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) Phase IV Network worth Rs 7,796.39 crore and procurement of one lakh grenades from an Indian private sector firm at cost of Rs 409 crores.
Giving details of these crucial deals, officials said here on Thursday that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the communication project.
It will be built by the ITI, a Public Sector Undertaking, at an estimated cost of Rs 7,796.39 crore with an implementation schedule of 36 months from the date of signing of the contract. The contract was inked on Thursday.
The project is a strategic and theatre area communication network which will upgrade the existing Asynchronous Transfer Mode Technology to Internet Protocol (IP) / Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Technology. Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), Microwave Radio and Satellite will be used as communication media.
The project will provide better survivability, responsiveness and high bandwidth in any operational scenario and enhance the communication coverage of network closer to the international border, LAC and the Line of Control (LoC). The project will augment the communication network of Indian Army in the sensitive forward operational areas keeping in view the current operational situation at LAC.
At the same time, in an effort to provide modern ammunition mainly to infantry soldiers guarding the now sensitive LAC and the LOC, the government inked a deal with Nagpur based Economic Explosive Ltd (Solar Group) for the hand grenades.
This comes days after the Defence Acquisition Council(DAC)headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave the nod for procurement of 72,400 Sig Sauer assault rifles from the US on fast track basis for the frontline soldiers. The contract is worth over Rs 780 crores. The Indian army had bought the first batch of 72,4000 rifles some months back.
As regards the hand grenade deal, officials said here it will also boost the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defence sector. The private company will supply 10,00,000 Multi Mode Hand Grenades to the Indian Army. These grenades will be replacing the hand grenade design of World War-II vintage, in use with the Indian Army.
The Multi-Mode Hand Grenade has been designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratories (TBRL). The grenades have a distinctive design, in that, they can be used in both offensive and defensive modes. This is a flagship project showcasing public-private partnership enabling “AtmaNirbharta” in cutting edge ammunition technologies and accomplishes 100% indigenous content, officials added.
This deal comes after the DAC on Monday approved proposals for capital acquisitions worth approximately Rs 2,290 crore including 72,400 SIG-716 assault rifles for the Army and Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) for the Navy and Air Force.
The procurement of Static High Frequency (HF) Tans-receiver sets and Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) will commence for the IAF and Army. The HF radio sets will enable seamless communication for the field units of Army and Air Force and are being procured at an approx. cost of Rs 540 crore, the Ministry said in a statement. The SAAW are being procured at an approximate cost of Rs 970 crore.