Navy’s Rs 70,000-crore Warship Project, Army’s 1,700-Tank Proposal To Be Approved

The government is ready to approve major projects, such as the Indian Navy’s Rs 70,000 crore initiative to construct seven new warships and the Indian Army’s plan to bring in 1,700 modern tanks in place of its aging T-72 Russian tanks.

According to insiders at the Defence Ministry, the upcoming meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Tuesday is projected to approve projects with a value exceeding Rs 1.3 lakh crore.

Among the top prospects for the Navy’s Project 17 Bravo, which aims to construct seven cutting-edge warships, are Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). These two yards are also involved in building frigates for Project 17A, known as the Nilgiri class.

The MDL is responsible for constructing four of the frigates, while the GRSE has received an order to build three. Additionally, shipyards in category 1 are eligible to participate in the tender as well.

The mega project, which involves replacing the Indian Army’s T-72 tanks with 1,700 future-ready combat vehicles, will be discussed at the meeting. It is likely that this project may be divided between two shipyards, with one receiving four units and the other settling for three.

The Indian Army is actively engaged in operations in both high-altitude regions and deserts, and is interested in updating its fleet of armoured vehicles, which includes tanks and infantry combat vehicles.