New Delhi has signed off on purchases of electronic warfare systems, armored vehicles, and surface-to-air missiles

New Delhi has approved arms and ammunition purchases worth $12 billion, with a focus on sourcing from domestic industries, the Indian Defense Ministry announced on Thursday.

The acquisitions are expected to enhance the capabilities of the Indian armed forces by providing improved mobility, effective air defense systems, enhanced supply chain management, and overall increased operational preparedness, the ministry said. The approval by India's Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) will cover the purchase of armoured recovery vehicles, an electronic warfare system, an integrated common inventory management system, and surface-to-air missiles.

The green light was also given to the Indian Navy to buy moored mines, mine countermeasure vessels, super rapid gun mount, and submersible autonomous vessels, theDefense Ministrysaid. "The procurements will enable mitigation of potential risks posed to the naval and merchant vessels," it added.

The approvals are part of New Delhi's push to develop its domestic arms industry. India, which is one of the world's top defense importers, has historically relied on Russia for equipment as well as technology.

Russia and India are increasingly moving towards joint production of weapons.

BrahMos Aerospace, a joint Indo-Russian venture, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, was launched in 2005. India's Defense Research and Development Organization has a 50.5% stake in the company, while Russian NPO Mashinostroyenia holds 49.5%. BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles were put to effective use by India during its four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May.

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INS Tamal, a Russian-made Krivak-class frigate that was handed over to India this week, has 26% Indian components. It was built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, and its construction was monitored by Indian specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team. In March this year, DAC granted initialapprovalfor arms and equipment purchases exceeding $6.26 billion. The proposed acquisitions include upgraded engines for the Indian Army's Russian-made T-90 battle tanks, additional anti-submarine torpedoes for the navy, and airborne early warning and control systems for the air force.

(RT.com)