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Current Affairs 2023
India Signs Contracts Worth ₹22,986 Crore for Next Generation Naval Vessels and Coastal Defence - UPSC Current Affairs
India's Defence Ministry has recently signed four contracts worth ₹22,986 crore for the acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NG-OPVs) and six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for the Navy, as well as equipment and BrahMos supersonic missiles for coastal defence.
Mar 30, 2023
5 min read
The Defence Ministry of India has taken a major step towards bolstering the country's defence capabilities by signing four contracts worth ₹22,986 crore. The contracts include the acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NG-OPVs) and six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for the Indian Navy. The contracts also cover the procurement of equipment and BrahMos supersonic missiles for coastal defence.
Under the contract signed with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, the Ministry will acquire 11 NG-OPVs at a total cost of ₹9,781 crore. Of these, seven ships will be designed, developed and manufactured by GSL, while the remaining four will be built by GRSE. The delivery of these ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026.
The acquisition of these NG-OPVs will enable the Indian Navy to maintain its combat capability and meet various operational requirements, such as anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, non-combatant evacuation operations, Search and Rescue (SAR), and protection of offshore assets.
The contract for acquisition of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) was signed with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at a cost of ₹9,805 crore. The NGMVs are heavily armed war vessels incorporating stealth, high speed, and offensive capability. The primary role of these ships will be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets. Delivery of the NGMVs is scheduled to commence from March 2027.
Additionally, the Ministry signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of 13 Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems, which will be installed on the NG-OPVs, and another contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for the procurement of Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries (NGMMCB) and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
Moreover, the contract for procurement of improved Akash SAM for 3rd and 4th Regiments of Army Air Defence was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), worth over ₹8,160 crore. The project has an overall indigenous content of 82%, which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The signing of these contracts will help the Indian Armed Forces to strengthen their defence capabilities and protect the country's borders. The acquisition of these ships, equipment, and missiles will also create a large scale of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the private industry, including MSMEs, thereby boosting the country's economy. Reference source: TH
UPSC Main Exam Question
India recently signed four contracts worth ₹22,986 crore for the acquisition of ships, equipment and BrahMos supersonic missiles for coastal defense. Explain the significance of these contracts in strengthening India's defense capabilities and the impact it may have on the economy.
Answer: The recent signing of four defense contracts worth ₹22,986 crore by the Indian government is a significant step in strengthening the country's defense capabilities. The acquisition of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NG-OPVs) and six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for the Navy, along with equipment and BrahMos supersonic missiles for coastal defense, will provide India with the necessary tools to safeguard its borders and maintain combat readiness.
The NG-OPVs will be designed and manufactured by Goa Shipyard Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and will be equipped to handle various operational requirements such as anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, non-combatant evacuation operations, search and rescue, and protection of offshore assets. The NGMVs, on the other hand, will be heavily armed war vessels incorporating stealth, high speed and offensive capability, primarily designed to provide offensive capability against enemy warship, merchantmen and land targets.
The contracts signed with Bharat Electronics Limited and BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited for the procurement of 13 Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems, Next Generation Maritime Mobile Coastal Batteries and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles will further enhance India's coastal defense capabilities. The Lynx-U2 System is a fourth-generation naval gun fire control system, while the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles are known for their accuracy and lethality.
The contracts signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the procurement of improved Akash SAM for 3rd and 4th Regiments of Army Air Defence, and the WLR Swathi (Plains) from Bharat Electronics Limited for over ₹990 crore for an indigenously designed weapon-locating radar (WLR) will strengthen India's air defense capabilities.
The acquisition of these ships, equipment and missiles will not only strengthen India's defense capabilities but will also create a large scale of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the private industry, including MSMEs, thereby boosting the economy.
In conclusion, the signing of these contracts is a significant step in India's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities and protect its borders. The acquisition of ships, equipment, and missiles will enable India to meet its various operational requirements and provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen, and land targets. Additionally, it will create significant employment opportunities in the private industry, including MSMEs, thereby boosting the economy.
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