Defence Clears Rs 3,547 Crore Proposal to Buy 72,400 Guns

This deal will “enable defence forces to meet immediate requirement for the troops deployed on the border.”

The proposal is for a procurement of 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines to “enable defence forces to meet their immediate requirement for the troops deployed on the border.”

(Photo: The Quint)

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, 16 January, cleared a Rs 3,547 crore proposal for procurement of assault rifles and carbines on a fast track basis, reported IANS.

The proposal is for 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines to "enable defence forces to meet their immediate requirement for the troops deployed on the border", a statement said.

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in Parliament, during the Doklam standoff, had stated that India’s defence forces had ammunition that could last for 20 days in the event of a war. in stead of a minimum requirement of 40 days.

The CAG had criticised the state-run Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for inadequate quantity of ammunition supplied to the army since March 2013, reported PTI.

However, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, had in September, dismissed the report as "factually wrong" and told reporters that it was unnecessary to debate on the issue.

After taking the charge of Defence ministry, I have discussed the issue with senior officers and experts. Purchasing weapons... is a continuous process.

Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence minister

(With IANS, PTI inputs)

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