The Government of India has taken an important decision to expand the combat capability of the three armed forces. The Defence Acquisition Council has approved emergency purchases worth Rs 40,000 crore, which will ensure timely procurement of essential equipment.
With regard to Operation Sindoor, India has clarified that the current operations are only a “strategic pause”. If Pakistan does not change its policy of promoting cross-border terrorism, India is prepared to respond as needed. That is why the government has granted special emergency procurement powers to the armed forces.
The Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has recently approved EP-6 (Emergency Purchase-6). It is noteworthy that the four emergency purchase rights granted earlier were issued during the border dispute with China in eastern Ladakh, while the fifth was for anti-terrorism operations.
Under EP-6, the armed forces can fast-track each contract worth up to Rs 300 crore, thereby avoiding the usual elaborate procurement process. These contracts will be finalised within 40 days and procurement of material will be completed within a year. These powers will be exercised by the vice chiefs of the three services.
The priority equipment includes surveillance drones, kamikaze drones, loitering munitions and a variety of missiles and ammunition. The BrahMos and Scalp cruise missiles have already been used against Pakistani targets. The Rampage missile used in the operation was also acquired under similar emergency provisions.
Emergency procurement powers ensure that the required weapons and equipment are procured within a stipulated time frame, thereby meeting immediate operational requirements. According to sources, the forces are planning to acquire additional Heron Mark 2 drones, which were used for surveillance and strikes during Operation Sindoor.