The defence ministry on Friday cleared the procurement of military hardware worth Rs 84,560 crore, including multi-mission maritime aircraft, to boost the armed forces’ combat, surveillance and air defence capabilities.

The procurement proposals were cleared by the defence acquisition council (DAC), headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh. It takes an estimated two to three years, at least, for a proposal approved by the DAC to fructify into a contract.

Among the procurements cleared are those of new-generation anti-tank mines and multi-mission maritime aircraft.

Medium-range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission maritime aircraft can strengthen the navy’s and the coastguard’s surveillance and interdiction capabilities over the country’s vast maritime areas, the defence ministry said.

The air defence tactical control radar will strengthen, in particular, India’s capability to detect slow, small and low-flying targets. Flight-refueller aircraft will enhance the air force’s operational capabilities and reach, the defence ministry said.

Sources in the defence ministry said India would buy over a dozen maritime surveillance aircraft from aviation giant Airbus. “The Indian Navy will get the maximum aircraft while 2-3 will be given to the coastguard,” said a ministry official.

The procurement of medium-range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission maritime aircraft will boost the navy’s capabilities, especially in the Indian Ocean region.

“India is worried about China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region. Over the past few years, the Chinese navy has been taking an assertive stand in the South China Sea and is challenging India’s domination in the region. These surveillance aircraft will add more teeth to the Indian Navy’s operation in the Indian Ocean region,” the official said.

In the wake of the recent spate of attacks on merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has deployed over 10 warships with marine commandos in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden to deter piracy and drone strikes and is conducting enhanced maritime security operations.

“To enhance the operational efficiency and domination in the tactical battle area for engaging targets that are beyond visual line of sight by the mechanised forces, the AoN (approval of necessity) under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category has been accorded for procurement of canister launched anti-armour loiter munition system,” the defence ministry said.

The defence ministry added: “To keep the Indian naval ships one step ahead of the threats posed by the adversaries, the AoN under Buy (Indian) category has been accorded for procurement of Active Towed Array Sonar having capabilities to operate at low frequencies and various depths for long range detections of adversary submarines. The AoN has also been accorded for procurement of heavyweight torpedoes for enhancing the attacking capabilities of Kalvari Class submarines.”