Kamov helicopters and submarine torpedoes among deals the Defense Ministry will review this week

New Delhi: As the Narendra Modi government pushes for more indigenous systems in the military, the Defense Ministry will this week undertake a review of several foreign procurement projects, some of which are nearing their final stages.

Defense and security sources told ThePrint that more than 10 items are due for review by the Defense Procurement Board (DPB), including a deal with Russia for Kamov helicopters for the military and the navy, as well as heavy torpedoes for the Scorpène submarines.

This decision is part of the Ministry of Defense’s review of all government contracts under the “Buy (Global)’ category to promote “Atmanirbhar” products in the critical sector which has been dominated by foreign purchases. In this category, procurement is done directly from a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

While the defense services had previously been asked to prepare a list of overseas procurement plans that could be replaced by local items, sources said all plans were under review, including those in the final stage. A review does not mean a cancellation, they clarified.

JThe Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), lead by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh decided on January 14 to to abandon a Coast Guard project to acquire 14 helicopters from overseas, in addition to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and short-range missiles.

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Main transactions under review

One of the flagship projects in the study is heavy torpedoes for that of the navy Scorpene submarines, which currently use Russian-made torpedoes that have received a life extension.

According to the original plan, the Indian Navy was to procure ‘Black Shark’ torpedoes from the Italian firm WASS, owned by the AgustaWestland chopper scam Italian company Finmeccanica, who had renamed himself “Leonardo” a few years ago.

The plan was that the navy’s immediate needs for heavy torpedoes would be met through foreign purchases, while long-term and larger needs would be met through local manufacturing.

However, the deal was canceled in 2016 and a new proposal was launched.

Sources noted the Services decide if there is another project available, add that the torpedoes will be probably be purchased overseas since there is no functional indigenous alternative at present.

Another key purchase in the study is Kamov helicopters, which is most likely to be set aside to favor from indigenous product manufactured by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

This is going to be significant in terms of monetary value, as the cumulative figure of this deal (including Army and Navy requirements) exceeds Rs 20,000 crore, sources said.

As previously reported by ThePrint, this renewed focus from the Department of Defense could have a ripple effect on the Navy’s plan to acquire new utility helicopters through a strategic partnership, as HAL could also enter the fray. Otherwise, the program was to be a collaboration between a foreign actor and a private Indian company.

Other deals under consideration this week include the purchase of general-purpose machine guns, non-durable air and anti-submarine warfare targets, and more.

(Edited by Gitanjali Das)

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