DAC approves procurement of Nag missile system, 13 guns. The DAC also approved the procurement of thirteen 127 mm calibre guns for the Navy, the ministry said
The Defence Acquisition Council led by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here today cleared capital acquisition proposals worth over Rs 3,687 crore, which primarily includes the Defence Research and Development Organisation developed NAG missile system, comprising a third generation anti-tank guided missile, the defence ministry said.
"In a boost to indigenisation, the DAC approved the procurement of DRDO’s designed and developed NAG Missile System (NAMIS) at the cost of Rs 524 crore," the ministry said.
The NAMIS includes a third generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile, the NAG, along with the Missile Carrier Vehicle (NAMICA). The NAG missile is a third generation anti-tank guided missile, which has top attack capabilities that can effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day and night. This will give a quantum boost to the Army's capability against enemy armour.
Reports claim that the MOD cleared the procurement of 300 Nag missiles and 25 modified BMP-2 ‘NAMICA’ carrier vehicles.
The Army needs third generation ATGMs with a strike range of over 2.5 km with fire and forget capabilities. It needs them to equip its infantry and mechanised infantry units, with the latter to carry them on their Russian BMP vehicles. The army is currently using second generation Milan 2T and Konkur ATGMs and has been looking for about 8,000 third generation missiles, which are important for stopping advancing enemy tanks.
Last year, the government had cancelled a proposed $500 million deal with Israel to procure over 8000 Spike ATGMs. The project was scrapped due to DRDO’s contention that it could deliver its NAG ATGM within four years.
Meanwhile, the DAC also approved the procurement of thirteen 127 mm calibre guns for the Navy, the ministry said. "These guns will be fitted on-board new construction ships for undertaking surface engagements including Naval Gunfire Support Operations. The guns will enable Naval ships to provide fire support and engagement of targets on the land," the ministry said.
These guns have engagement range of 24 kilometres, which could be extended further by using Extended Range Gun Munitions (ERGM). These guns, a long outstanding requirement of the Navy, would be procured from BAE Systems under the Buy (Global) category of the Defence Procurement Procedure at an approximate cost of over Rs 3,000 crore.
The DAC also reviewed the progress of the DRDO program to develop indigenous Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).