Preparation to give emergency powers to Indian Army
Preparation to give emergency powers to Indian Army: Will buy necessary weapons through a fast-track route; Approval can be given in the meeting next week
The Government of India is preparing to give emergency powers to the Army. These powers allow the military to purchase any weapon under the fast-track route in times of war. According to reports, a high-level meeting of the Defense Ministry is going to be held next week. The approval will be discussed in this meeting. This decision will be taken to further strengthen the operational preparedness of the Army.
These emergency powers are being given by the government to the army at a time when Pakistani agencies have intensified activities along the maritime border near Gujarat. On the other hand, China is demonstrating its strength by conducting military drills on the Taiwan front.
These powers were given to the army for the first time after the Uri surgical strike in 2016, which has proved beneficial in dealing with the ongoing military standoff with China in May 2020. During this, the army was given powers to deal with equipment up to Rs 300 crore. This equipment was to be delivered within three months to a year.
According to the information, the army has to buy new weapons from its allocated budget and they do not need the approval of the Ministry of Defense for these deals. Through these, the army has strengthened its preparedness. Under these powers, the Air Force and the Army had procured Heran drones, which have now been deployed to track the movement of the Chinese Army in Ladakh and the Northeast.
The Army had purchased Sig Sauer assault rifles using these powers. Which have now been included in all three forces. Apart from this, the army has also dealt with missiles, which can destroy ground targets from long distances. These include the Hammer missiles, which have increased the capability of the Rafale aircraft. Hammer missiles can target bunkers from a long range.
The army has used these powers given by the government in the purchase of necessary equipment. The Armed Forces have a long list of equipment to purchase. In these, indigenous as well as foreign equipment has to be procured.
