Delays and Deadlines

Palak Gupta

In a bid to modernise armed forces and enhance its combat capabilities, India is likely to spend approximately USD130 billion in the years ahead. The country is already being billed as the third largest defence spender after the US and China according to a report by Sweden-based Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) which says New Delhi’s military spending grew by 6.8 per cent to USD71.1 billion in 2019. India’s defence budget stands at USD73.65 billion for the current fiscal year.

Russian Helicopter Ka-226T

India’s military spending has grown due to an increased capital expenditure for procuring a series of defence equipment which include submarines, warships, helicopters, infantry combat vehicles, refuellers, fighters, UAVs among others. There are a plethora of pending proposals including procurement of 2,600 infantry combat vehicles, more than 1,700 future ready combat vehicles for the Indian Army and 114 multirole fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) among others.

Here is a rundown of the procurement status of several weapon systems and defence equipment planned for the three services in the forthcoming years.

Indian Army

Third Generation ATGM: Preferring the domestic route, the Indian Army has initiated a process to order new anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) from the Indian industry–both private and public. The move is seen by defence experts as an attempt to slash down the import expenditure.

The invitation for Expression of Interest (EoI) for procurement of third generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile System for the Indian Army has been floated which first made its appearance on the defence ministry’s website on 7 February 2020. According to the ministry of defence (MoD), the weapon system is required for anti-tank, anti-structure engagements in conventional operations. “A third generation ATGM system will enhance the potential of infantry to counter mechanised threats in select sectors and also anti-structure role. “Induction of the third generation ATGM capability will augment anti-tank deterrence against armour threat on defensive positions and strengthen the anti-tank potential of Infantry battalions in mechanised offensive operations,” the defence ministry said. The proposed ATGM system will replace the second-generation MILAN system of France and KONKURS of Russia.

Presently, the Indian Army has a total projected requirement of approximately 68,000 ATGMs in the next few decades and needs missiles which can hit high-speed moving armoured vehicles without the support of an operator.

The Indian government scrapped the Medium-Range Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) deal with Israel in June 2019. The deal was approved as an ‘emergency purchase’ in April. First, India reduced the tender that Rafael had won for more than 8000 missiles to 210 and then cancelle