These big changes will happen in all three forces… FRCV in place of tanks, seven new warships, new fighter jet engines

Amid the ongoing tension with neighbouring countries, the Indian government has permitted the purchase of various weapons, equipment and other items for the three armies. These include Future Red Combat Vehicles (FRCV) for the Indian Army, Guided Missile Frigates for the Navy and 240 engines for the Air Force’s fighter jets.

The Indian Navy will get seven new advanced stealth guided frigates under Project-17 Bravo (P-17B). The government has approved Rs 70 thousand crore for this. All these will be warships of Nilgiri class frigates. These will be built by companies like Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Garden Reach Shipbuilders, Goa Shipyard, Larsen & Toubro.

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Currently, Mazagon Dock and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers are building Nilgiri class frigates under Project-17A (P-17A). Seven warships are being built. Five have been launched which will join the Indian Navy by February 2025 this year. The names of the frigates launched are Nilgiri, Udayagiri, Taragiri, Himgiri and Dunagiri.

These frigates displace 6670 tonnes. They are equipped with 32 Barak-8 missiles, 8 Brahmos missiles, 2 Varunastra torpedo launchers, 2 anti-submarine rocket launchers, three guns. Apart from this, Dhruv and Seaking helicopters can be deployed on them. Four Kavach decoy launchers are installed. 2 torpedo countermeasures systems are installed.

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1700 FRCVs will replace the army’s T-72 tanks

The Indian Army’s T-72 tanks will be replaced with Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCV). There is a plan to deploy around 1770. These weapons will be 60% indigenous. Two major companies have come forward to make them. Bharat Forge and Larsen & Toubro. This work will be done in three phases. 600 FRCVs will be made in each phase. The cost of this project will be around 50 thousand crores rupees.

FRCV will have provision for artificial intelligence, drone integration, active protection system, situational awareness, manned and unmanned teaming. India currently has 2400 T-72 tanks. FRCV will be inducted into the army in three stages. 590 tanks will be inducted in the first phase.

New technology will be added to it in every phase. So that the tank remains safe for a longer time. It is more lethal. It can attack with precision. It can keep the soldiers safe inside it. FRCVs will be such tanks which are less affected by air attacks. They will be equipped with a more secure communication system. They can fire many types of shells.

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It should be able to attack with many types of missiles. It should have anti-drone safeguard. It should be proficient in electronic warfare. Because the condition of old tanks has been seen in the recent Russia-Ukraine war. In the Russia-Ukraine war, there were drone attacks on tanks of both sides. Small suicide drones were destroying them. That is why the demand for FRCV has increased all over the world.

240 aero engines for Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI

The Indian government has asked HAL to make 240 aero engines for the Su-30MKI fighter jets of the Indian Air Force. Its cost is about 26 thousand crore rupees. These engines are to be delivered within eight years from next year. The engines have to be 54 percent indigenous. The availability of engines will strengthen the Su-30MKI fleet. They will be able to remain continuously deployed in the country’s aerial security.