Government Inks Rs 2,960 Crore Deal with Bharat Dynamics for Missile Production for Indian Navy

MRSAM system is a standard fit onboard many Indian Naval Ships and will be included in most of the future platforms planned for acquisition.

The Ministry of Defence yesterday signed a deal with Bharat Dynamics Ltd (NS:BARA) for medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) supply to the Indian Navy at a cost of about Rs 2,960 crore.

MRSAM system is a standard fit onboard many Indian Naval Ships and will be included in most of the future platforms planned for acquisition.

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According to a Defence Ministry statement, the contract is a critical milestone in the efforts that are on to strengthen India's defence capabilities and indigenise advanced military technology.

Under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' thrust, the missiles would be supplied by BDL under the 'Buy (Indian)' category with largely indigenous content. The contract would generate employment of approximately 3.5 lakh man-days in the defence industry, including various MSMEs, the statement added.

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The Defence Ministry officials and BDL officials signed the contract in Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

The signing of the contract comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation three frontline naval combatants – destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri, and submarine INS Vaghsheer - which will add muscle to India's growing naval power.

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Acknowledging the adoption of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) by India's armed forces over the last decade, the Prime Minister appreciated the remarkable efforts to reduce dependence on other countries during crises.

He stated that the armed forces have identified more than 5,000 items and equipment that will no longer be imported. He underlined the increased confidence of Indian soldiers using domestically produced equipment.

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PM Modi mentioned the setting up of the country's largest helicopter manufacturing factory in Karnataka and a transport aircraft factory for the armed forces. He also pointed out the success of the Tejas fighter plane and the development of defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu (NS:TNNP), which are accelerating defence production.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the Navy's significant expansion of the Make in India initiative, acknowledging the crucial role of Mazagon Dockyard. He mentioned the inclusion of 33 ships and seven submarines in the Navy over the past decade, with 39 out of 40 naval vessels being built in Indian shipyards.

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This includes the majestic INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines like INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.

The Prime Minister also felicitated the armed forces for propelling the Make in India campaign. He said India's defence production has crossed Rs 1.25 lakh crore and that the country is exporting defence equipment to more than 100 nations. He expressed confidence in the rapid transformation of India's defence sector with continued support.

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