Defence Ministry Signs Rs 1,917 Crore Deal For Advanced Radios And Forklift Trucks

The Ministry of Defence has signed two significant contracts worth a total of Rs 1,917 crore to enhance the operational capabilities of India’s armed forces. These agreements, finalized on Thursday, involve the procurement of software-defined radios for the Coast Guard and rough terrain forklift trucks for the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

A major portion of the deal, worth Rs 1,220 crore, focuses on equipping the Indian Coast Guard with 149 advanced software-defined radios.

These radios will greatly improve secure and reliable communication, ensuring high-speed data transfer and secure voice communication, vital for operational coordination and situational awareness. The contract signed with Bharat Electronics, a defence PSU, in the presence of Defence Secretary R K Singh.

The new radios will significantly enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to carry out its core responsibilities, including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, fisheries protection, and marine environment protection.

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Additionally, the radios will improve interoperability with the Indian Navy, enabling joint operations with seamless communication.

An official explained, “This will mark a transition from the existing single-purpose radios to multi-band, multi-mode, multi-role radios with secure networking capabilities, ensuring better coordination and operational efficiency at sea.”

Improving Logistics Support With Forklift Trucks

The second contract, valued at Rs 697 crore, focuses on procuring 1,868 rough terrain forklift trucks for the Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), and Navy. Signed with ACE Ltd and JCB India Ltd, the contract aims to enhance the logistics capabilities of the armed forces.

These forklift trucks will help streamline the handling of large quantities of stores, reducing the need for manual labor and improving the overall operational efficiency of the forces.

An official from the Ministry of Defence further noted, “These trucks will assist in a wide range of combat and logistics support tasks, ensuring smoother and faster movement of equipment and supplies across various terrains.”

A Step Towards Enhanced Defence Capabilities

The signing of these contracts marks a critical step towards modernizing the communication and logistical support systems of the Indian armed forces.

With these new technologies, the military will be better equipped to handle complex operations, both on land and at sea, enhancing the country’s defence readiness and operational effectiveness.