The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of India has granted approval for the acquisition of Rs69bn ($1.02bn) of equipment for the country’s defence forces.
Aiming to support the domestic industry, the DAC approved the procurement of Thermal Imaging (TI) Night Sights for the 84mm rocket launcher deployed with the Indian Air Force (IAF), as well as the Indian Army.
TI Night Sight will facilitate precise and continuous engagement of both moving and static enemy targets, in addition to the destruction of field fortifications or bunkers during complete darkness.
TI Night Sight will also allow personnel to detect and identify enemy tanks and soldier movement at night and successfully engage them with improved accuracy.
In addition, the equipment will be able to significantly reduce the effect of camouflage and concealment as rocket launcher detachments will be capable of identifying enemy locations even when they are hidden behind foliage or thin-walled constructions.
Furthermore, the acquisition council has given approval for carrying out the design and development work on the long-range dual-band infrared imaging search and track system (IRST) for the IAF’s SU-30 MKI multirole fighter aircraft.
Once integrated onboard the fighter jet, the IRST will be able to operate in both day and night conditions and will help improve the capabilities of the Russia-built SU-30 MKI.
Over the past eight months, approvals for the acquisition of defence equipment worth approximately Rs438.44bn ($6.49bn) have been granted.
Defence equipment worth Rs322.53bn ($4.77bn) would be procured from the country.
