India grants initial approval for $6 billion defence purchases

A T-90 tank fires during a demonstration at the International military-technical forum "Army-2020" in Moscow Region
A T-90 tank fires during a demonstration at the International military-technical forum "Army-2020" at Alabino range in Moscow Region, Russia August 23, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Source: X90156

India's defence acquisition council gave initial approval on Thursday for the purchase of arms and equipment worth more than 540 billion rupees ($6.26 billion) to enhance the capabilities of its armed forces, the defence ministry said.

The approval includes the purchase of more powerful engines for Russian-origin T-90 battle tanks operated by the Indian Army, additional anti-submarine torpedoes for the Indian Navy, and airborne early warning and control aircraft systems for the Indian Air Force.

The defence body also approved guidelines for making the process of arms acquisition "faster, more effective and efficient".

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

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