Army signs contracts for emergency procurements; seeks 'quantum jump' in capabilities

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drones to individual protective equipment, sources said. Sources in the military establishment also said the present global scenario «necessitates a flexible and adaptive approach» to tackle defence and national security challenges. Sixty-eight schemes worth Rs 6,600 crore were signed in the first three tranches of emergency procurements (EPs). «As part of the fourth tranche, 49 schemes worth Rs 7,600 crore have been contracted catering for capabilities ranging from mobility solutions to communication systems, energy solutions, individual protective equipment, armament and simulators, drones and counter-drones,» a source in the defence establishment said. The army is observing 2023 as the 'Year of Transformation', and is working on several projects to reshape and remodel the functional processes to bring in a «quantum jump in its capabilities». It is spearheading the realisation of the vision of 'Atmanirbharta' with the intent of boosting manufacturing in India and creating a vibrant defence ecosystem, the sources said.

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Besides the 49 schemes being contracted under the fourth round of EP, «34 schemes worth approximately Rs 7,000 crore are under final stages of procurement,» they said. Niche technologies like logistic and nano drones, counter-drones, loiter munitions, unarmed aerial vehicle or UAV-launched precision-guided missiles, and automatic spectrum monitoring systems, are being procured, they added. Sharing the details about the individual protective equipment, a source said, once developed, this will be worn by a soldier in an integrated manner with a bullet-proof jacket, and it will have sensors through which a soldier, in cases of