Big leap in defense sector: DPB gives green signal to purchase of 114 Rafale (file photo)
IANS, New Delhi. Taking a major step towards strengthening the country's air defense capabilities, the Defense Procurement Board (DPB) has approved the proposal to purchase 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from French company Dassault.
According to defense sources, this proposal will now be placed before the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, after which final approval is expected from the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indian Air Force had submitted a formal proposal to the Defense Ministry last year regarding the requirement of 114 Rafale aircraft. Sources say that the final agreement on this deal between India and France can be signed by next month. The deal will be under inter-governmental agreement (G-2-G), which will ensure direct procurement and transparent delivery without any middlemen.
It is noteworthy that in April last year, India had signed an agreement to purchase 26 Rafale-Marine fighter aircraft for the Navy at a cost of Rs 63 thousand crore. This includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater trainer aircraft, the delivery of which is likely to be completed by 2031.
Army signs agreement to purchase fire fighting robot
Taking forward the goal of self-reliant India and developed India, the Indian Army has signed an important procurement agreement under 'Innovation for Defense Excellence' (IDEX). Last Tuesday, the Army handed over the indigenous Empresa Pvt. Ltd. Signed an agreement with for the purchase of fire fighting robots. This agreement was concluded at the Capability Development Directorate of the Indian Army.
This robot was originally developed under the IDEX framework for the Indian Navy, but using the provision of Single Stage Composite Trial, the Army has for the first time directly procured a product developed for a sister service.
The fire fighting robot is a compact and versatile unmanned ground vehicle that can operate from a safe distance in hazardous situations such as fire. This will significantly increase the safety of soldiers during fire fighting operations in emergency situations.