DAC approves acquisition of NAG Missile System for Army and long range guns for Navy

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cleared capital acquisition proposals of DRDO’s NAG missile system (NAMIS) for Indian Army and 127 mm calibre guns for Indian Navy. DAC is Defence Ministry’s highest decision-making body on procurement.

Key Facts

NAG missile system (NAMIS): It will be procured for Indian Army at cost of Rs. 524 crore. It has been indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The system includes third generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) Nag along with the missile carrier vehicle (NAMICA).
The NAG ATGM has strike range of over 2.5km with fire and forget capabilities. It has top attack capabilities that can effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day and night. The Indian army is currently using second generation Milan 2T and Konkur ATGMs and has been looking for about 8000 third generation ATGMs, which are important for stopping advancing enemy tanks.
127 mm calibre guns: Thirteen such guns will be procured for Indian Navy. They will be procured from BAE Systems under Buy (Global) category of Defence Procurement Procedure at cost of over Rs 3,000 crore. These guns will be fitted on-board new construction ships for undertaking surface engagements including Naval Gunfire Support Operations. These guns have engagement range of 24 kilometres, enabling Naval ships to provide fire support and engagement of targets on the land. This range can be extended further by using Extended Range Gun Munitions (ERGM).

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2018