Centre Extends Defence Force Emergency Powers By 6 Months To Confront China

Since most of the defense forces’ bids to buy weapon systems under emergency acquisition powers haven’t been finished yet, the Defense Ministry has given them another six months to get the weapons they need.

In August of last year, the defense forces were given emergency purchasing powers for six months so they could acquire more equipment to make them more ready at the China border.

“A high-level meeting of the Defense Ministry has given the three defense forces an extra six months to finish projects for which bids have already been sent out.

They added that the forces have roughly 300 proposals for weapon systems, replacement parts, and other equipment, but that most of them have not yet been decided.

Defense officials said that because of the emergency powers, the government made it so that forces could only buy equipment through the “Make in India” program if it contained at least 60% Indian-made parts.

This time, unlike in the past, the forces also have to acquire approval from the Integrated Financial Advisors.

When tensions with Pakistan were high after the Uri surgical strikes in 2016, the defense forces were given these powers. They have helped them deal with the military stalemate with China that has been going on since May 2020.

The emergency powers make it possible for forces to quickly get any new or used equipment to make them more prepared for war.

With these purchases, the defense forces are better prepared. The Indian Air Force and the Army both got “Heron” unmanned aerial vehicles, which are now being used for surveillance in Ladakh and the northeast to keep an eye on what the Chinese are doing.