The Ministry of Defence on Friday signed a Rs 445 crore contract clearing way for procurement of Russian made missile systems from Rosoboronexport to boost defence forces inventory. According to a statement by the ministry, new defence procurement will provide India with cutting-edge missiles and enhance country’s multilayered air defence capabilities against aerial threats including aircraft drones and cruise missiles. The agreement will also strengthen the Indo-Russian strategic defence partnership.
“The contract for the procurement of Tunguska air defence missile systems, valued at Rs 445 crore, for the Indian Army, was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russia,” said the Defence Ministry.
Besides this, the government also signed a separate contract worth Rs 413 with Boeing India Defence Private Ltd for maintenance of Indian Navy’s P8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft.
The government said that the “contract for the inspection of P8I aircraft under Buy Indian category with 100 per cent indigenous content will ensure depot-level maintenance of the fleet at an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility”.
The Boeing P-8I, a multi-role long-range maritime reconnaissance anti-submarine warfare (LRMR ASW) aircraft, is integral to the Indian Navy’s maritime surveillance missions in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy currently operates 12 P-8I aircraft.
