The Government of India has lately given final shape to key defence-related acquisitions.

For years, India has planned defence and strategic plans keeping in mind a simultaneous two-front conflict with Pakistan and China.

The need for more and better weapons systems has become more acute in recent years as most of the systems have become aged over time. For example, much of the Indian Air Force’s fleet continues to be from the 20th century and of Soviet-origin. The numbers are also at an all-time low.

In addition to modernising the defence systems, the government is also focussing at inducting more indigenous platforms.

Here are five defence-related decisions in recent months that give the Indian military more firepower.

1. MQ-9B Predator drones

India on Tuesday signed a deal to buy 31 US-made MQ-9B Predator drones at the cost of nearly $4 billion.

The MQ-9B armed drone is a variant of the MQ-9 Reaper.

Under the terms of the deal, the government will procure 15 Sea Guardian drones for the Indian Navy and eight Sky Guardian drones each for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army.

These are high-altitude long-endurance drones and are capable of remaining airborne for over 35 hours and can carry four Hellfire missiles and around 450 kgs of bombs, according to PTI.

India is procuring Sea Guardian drones as they can carry out a variety of roles, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and over-the-horizon targeting among others, according to the news agency.

2. Indigenous nuclear submarines

Earlier this month, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the construction of two nuclear-powered conventional strike submarines (SSNs). These submarines will be built domestically and India Today reported military planners as saying that they will be up to 90 per cent indigenous.

The two SSNs will be built at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam with a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore, according to the magazine.

The approval comes as India has ramped up ambitions to be the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and faces a threat from China which has rapidly added vessels to its fleet in recent years.

3. T-90 Bhishma tank

Earlier this month, the Indian Army rolled out the first overhauled T-90 Bhishma tank.

The overhaul involved the complete disassembly and then assembly of the tank.

More than 200 assemblies and sub-assemblies were carefully removed, rebuilt, and tested using state-of-the-art equipment provided by the tank’s original manufacturer, and then, after thorough testing, the tank was reassembled and deemed ready for all-terrain operations, reported India Today.

The achievement of overhaul capability not only extends the life of the T-90 tank but also highlights India’s ability to maintain and upgrade its critical defence platforms without relying on foreign support, according to the magazine.

4. Rafale warplanes & Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy

India is also close to finalising the purchase of Rafale Marine warplanes from France’s Dassault for the Indian Navy. The deal in the works include 26 planes.

India is also in talks for the acquisition of three France-made Scorpene class submarines.

Earlier this month, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited France and held talks with French leaders.

It has been reported that France has not only reduced the cost for these projects for India but has also offered to manufacture in India.

The Emmanuel Macron’s government is all for supporting India in its ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by offering to manufacture the Rafale warplanes and Safran aircraft engines in India on a 100 per cent transfer-of-technology basis, according to Hindustan Times.

The newspaper further reported that French manufacturer has also reduced the Rafale M’s cost by nearly 500 million euros.

5. New missile firing range in Andhra Pradesh

Earlier this month, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Modi, approved the construction of a new firing range at Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh.

The range will be primarily used to test tactical missiles systems, according to India Today.

The Nagayalanka firing range will support testing of surface-to-air (SAM) missiles, anti-tank missiles, and other projects under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said government sources to India Today.

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Rafale marine jets to Predator drones: What India did last week to give armed forces more firepower