Procurement of missiles for Barak systems cleared

Several front line warships,including the ageing INS Viraat aircraft carrier,are equipped with Barak systems but were facing operational risks as replacement missile had not been ordered. In fact,there were barely any test firings of the Barak systems in the past few years due to the shortage.

The CBI decided to close the case due to the paucity of evidence in the bribery scandal in which former defence minister George Fernandes,former Navy chief Sushil Kumar and defence agent Suresh Nanda among others had been named.

Besides the procurement of the missiles,the Defence Ministry also cleared orders for additional Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) 40 for the Army and one for the Navy. The choppers,that will be procured at a cost of Rs 300 crore,will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

In addition,the DAC gave a go ahead to the Navy to initiate procurements worth Rs 15,000 crore. The Navy has been given a clearance to start the procurement of 16 new anti-submarine shallow water craft that are expected to cost Rs 13,440 crore. Also,the procurement of two Deep Sea Rescue Vessels (DSRV) for rescue of personnel from stricken submarines has been cleared and is expected to cost Rs 1,500 crore.