New Delhi: In a major boost to ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector, the Indian Army has sent proposals worth around Rs 14,000 crore to acquire two regiments of the Akash-S air defence missile system and 25 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs).
The proposal is with the Defence Ministry and a decision on the approval is expected soon at a high-level meeting to be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The Akash-S missiles are a new variant of the Akash missile system with a new indigenous seeker which helps in improving the accuracy in taking down enemy aircraft and cruise missiles at distances up to 25-30 kms.
The missiles are capable of performing in extreme cold weather conditions in Ladakh and would meet all the requirements of the Indian Army in mountainous and other regions along the boundaries with China and Pakistan.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed missile system is already in service with the forces and more upgraded versions are planned to be inducted into the services in coming days.