SF modernisation on track, acquisition of all items cleared: COAS

New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) The long-standing modernisation of the Indian Army's elite Special Forces formations is set to get a fillip with the government authorising acquisition of all the items they needed, ''The modernisation of the Special Forces has come back on track. The Cabinet Committee on Security had, at its last meeting, cleared acquisition of all the equipment the SF needed, from wherever it is available, either within the country or from outside,'' Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor today told mediapersons, at the eve of Army Day press conference.

The government has been extremely supportive, he added.

The long-overdue modernisation of the SF had been stuck for quite some time with only a handful of the 41 items they needed, including weapons, communication equipment and other accessories, reaching them as most items were not available nationally, and had to be acquired from outside.

The Indian Army's SF units had increased from the existing five in the last few years and more units had been planned to be converted to this role.

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