CCS clears proposals giving air power more punch

New Delhi, Mar 31 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Security today cleared major proposals worth almost Rs 4,800 crore aimed at giving more punch to the air might of the country's Armed Forces.

The day's meeting came on the heels of another CCS meet late last night which had approved acquisitions worth almost Rs 1,000 crore -- also aimed at strengthening air defence capabilities.

The CCS meet today, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved manufacture by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited of 20 Jaguars at an estimated cost of Rs 2,340 crore, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed mediapersons here.

The CCS also cleared a proposal for production by HAL of 20 'Tejas' Light Combat Aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs 2,439 crore.

Earlier, at a meeting last night, the CCS had cleared the way for the Army acquiring 20 indigenously-built 'Dhruv' Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and approved procurement of seven radars for the Air Force.

The Army will procure the 20 ALH helicopters at an estimated cost of Rs 955 crore.

The CCS today also paved the way for the Coast Guard acquiring five In-Shore Patrol Vessels (IPVs). To be built by the Visakhapatnam-based Hindustan Shipyard Limited, the IPVs were estimated to cost Rs 219 crore, the Defence Minister said.

Among other decisions reached by the CCS last night were approval of the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed by India and France recently, and extending the Security-Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme to fight Naxalism for another five years -- a move expected to benefit 76 districts across nine states in the country.

UNI DG MSJ HS1927