NEW DELHI, October 25 (RIA Novosti) - India cleared on Saturday a bulk of defense projects worth $13 billion in a bid to boost the country's national defense preparedness, the Indian Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) said.
According to defense ministry sources, the major decisions taken by the Defense Acquisition Council include the construction of six submarines in India at the cost of about Rs 50,000 crore and the purchase of more than 8,000 Israeli anti-tank guided missiles.
The Indian government is also going to purchase 12 upgraded Dornier surveillance aircraft with improved sensors and 362 infantry fighting vehicle from its domestic defense producers.
The DAC meeting in New Delhi was chaired by Defense Minister Arun Jaitley. Defense Secretary RK Mathur, the chiefs of three All India Services and Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Director General Avinash Chander, also attended.
Modernization of India's military assets is long overdue. Indian experts have repeatedly complained about the country's deteriorating military prowess, saying Indian defense infrastructure is age-old and has become obsolete.
Increasing pressure from Pakistan and China in both land and sea has made a military overhaul the need of the hour for India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised earlier to beef up the country's border security.
