CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — The Indian authorities is nearer to purchasing a multibillion-dollar package deal of cruise missiles, air protection weapons, surveillance radars and fighter jet engines following approval from the nation’s highest decision-making physique on safety affairs.

At a Feb. 21 assembly, the Cabinet Committee on Security authorised the 4 procurement tasks cumulatively price about 350 billion rupees (U.S. $4 billion).

According to native media studies quoting authorities sources, the authorised gadgets had been BrahMos cruise missiles for the Navy, air protection weapons for the Army, ground-based air surveillance radars and new engines for the Air Force’s MiG-29 fighters.

Approval by the committee, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs, is a mandatory step alongside the Defence Ministry’s contractual pathway.

Local media reported the BrahMos missile deal could be signed in March. The consolidated contract would come with some 220 weapons to arm Indian frigates and destroyers — the largest-ever particular person BrahMos order for India.

The contract will reportedly contain a mixture of commonplace 290-kilometer-range (180-mile-range) and prolonged 450-kilometer-range (280-mile-range) BrahMos missiles, of which 75% is domestically made.

“The BrahMos is expected to considerably enhance the potential for surface-to-surface attacks by Indian Navy ships, especially with extended-range missiles,” Rahul Bhonsle, a director of the New Delhi-based consultancy Security Risks Asia, advised Defense News.

India can also be exporting BrahMos missiles to the Philippines underneath a deal price about $375 million signed in January 2022. Atul Rane, who leads the missile producer BrahMos Aerospace, mentioned final 12 months the corporate has set a purpose of exporting $5 billion price of BrahMos weapons by 2025.

The committee additionally authorised the acquisition of Sudarshan air protection programs from non-public agency Larsen & Toubro — an acquisition price roughly $844 million. The Army would use the programs, which function radars and 40mm weapons, to guard its installations and the nation’s border areas.

The Sudarshan approval adopted an October 2022 request for procurement in search of 141,576 ammunition rounds to accompany 220 weapons, together with pre-fragmented, programmable proximity fuses and good rounds.

The Sudarshan can also be competing in an Air Force competitors for 244 close-in weapon programs.

“Air defense guns have assumed importance because of the overall weak air and missile defense profile with dated equipment, with the Indian Army in particular, and the add-on threat from drones,” Bhonsle defined.

The Indian Army relies on antiquated Bofors L/70 and ZU-23-2B towed weapons, and their substitute has grow to be pressing given the emerging threat of drones and loitering munitions.

Larsen & Toubro can also be set to supply the air surveillance radars, price about $723 million. India is prioritizing higher radar protection of its northern and western borders to protect in opposition to Chinese and Pakistani plane, respectively. Augmenting the present radar community in phases, the Air Force will function the brand new indigenous sensors.

And Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. is to fabricate new RD-33MK engines for MiG-29 fighters in collaboration with Russia, with the mission price about $639 million.

These tasks underscore India’s makes an attempt to maximise indigenous enter. The Make in India financial coverage appears to be gaining groud, Bhonsle mentioned.

“However, it should be noted there is also considerable foreign collaboration involved in many of the projects, as up to 50% or more is permissible under existing rules for acquisition,” Bhonsle added.