These 15 steps of the Modi government will make the Indian Armed Forces state-of-the-art

Since the Modi government came to power at the Centre in 2014, strengthening the Indian Army has been among the government's most important agendas. Over the past 5 years, several significant steps have been taken by the Central Government to make the Indian Army state-of-the-art and exceptionally strong, enabling the Indian Army to establish a leading identity among the world's most powerful military forces. Let us look at the steps that will make the Indian Army state-of-the-art:-

Enemies Will Not Stand a Chance Against Howitzer Guns

1. Under Make in India, the K-9 Vajra-T 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer was manufactured by Larsen & Toubro for the Indian Army. 10 K-9 Vajras have already been delivered to the Army, and 90 more will be delivered over the next 22 months. Just a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Larsen & Toubro's Armoured Systems Complex (ASC) located in Hazira, Gujarat. The ASC is a state-of-the-art facility that will be used to manufacture weapons such as K-9 Howitzers, infantry combat vehicles, and main battle tanks.

On the other hand, Pakistan had received 115 M109A5 Howitzers from the US back in 2009, whereas the Congress government, despite repeated pleas, did not even think about fulfilling this crucial need of the military. However, after the Modi government came to power, the process of procuring these guns for the Indian Army was fast-tracked.
- Modi inaugurates K9 Howitzer gun manufacturing unit
- Howitzer K9 Vajra tank will destroy the enemy in moments, know its brilliant features

2. The US-made M777 Howitzer guns will start being delivered to the Army from March this year. An agreement for 145 such Howitzers was signed between India and the US in November 2016, of which the first five Howitzers have already arrived in India for training. The first twenty-five such Howitzers will arrive in ready-to-use condition, and the rest will be assembled and prepared in India by Mahindra Defence. These are the first field guns to be inducted into the Indian Army in three decades. The proposal to acquire these guns was mooted in 2010, but due to the lackadaisical attitude of the Congress government, the proposal was put on the backburner.
- Army gets new artillery guns after 30 years, M777 Howitzer and K9 Vajra inducted into the fleet

Then, after the Modi government came to power in May 2014, the process of acquiring these guns was restarted, but due to the delays during the UPA tenure, the cost of these guns had escalated. The Modi government reworked this deal, and under Make in India, a provision was made to assemble most of these guns in India. Not only this, but ammunition manufactured in India will be used in these guns.

The Skies Within the Reach of State-of-the-Art Helicopters

3. These guns will be deployed along the India-China border and will be transported there by Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. A deal for 15 such Chinooks and 12 Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters was finalized in July last year. They will start being delivered to the Indian Army from March this year. These helicopters will prove to be a game-changer for the Indian Army, which until now had to rely on older Russian Mi-17 medium-lift helicopters and Mi-26 helicopters. Currently, India only had Mi-35 helicopters in the name of attack helicopters. The three-billion-dollar deal for these helicopters also includes an offset clause, which will bring one billion dollars of business to India's defense sector.
- Indian military's strength to multiply manifold, Chinook and Apache helicopters arriving in India
- Fuselage of US Army's Apache helicopters to be built in India

This Boeing deal was also dragged out by the UPA for eight years from 2005 and was stalled in 2013, despite knowing how desperately the Indian military needed them. Ultimately, the Modi government finalized this deal. Additionally, at the military's request, six more Apache AH-64E attack helicopters were also purchased. Along with all this, India is also set to receive 22 Apache AH-64D Longbow helicopters, which are advanced multi-role combat helicopters. Most of their components will be manufactured by Indian companies.

Every Direction Under the Watch of Precision-Targeting Missiles

4. Thanks to the Modi government, after years of waiting, the advanced Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems are also being acquired. India signed a deal with Israel for these missiles in January last year. These missiles are capable of shooting down ballistic missiles, fighter jets, drones, surveillance aircraft, etc. In May 2015, the indigenous supersonic surface-to-air missile Akash was inducted into the Indian Army. This missile is capable of targeting enemy helicopters, aircraft, etc., from a range of 25 kilometers.
- India successfully test-fires surface-to-air Akash missile

5. Last year, the Modi government also signed a $777 million deal with Israel to manufacture Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LRSAM) and Air & Missile Defence Systems in India for the Indian Navy. This LRSAM is a part of the Barak 8 system, which has already been inducted into the Indian Army. This LRSAM is being co-developed by DRDO in partnership with Israel. This is an excellent example of the success of Prime Minister Modi's Make in India initiative.
- Know these 8 special features of the Barak-8 missile defence system
- Delhi to get a missile shield like Moscow and London, to cost 70 billion rupees

6. Disregarding concerns over US sanctions, India signed an agreement for the S-400 Triumf missile system a few months ago. Conceding defeat, the US had to grant India a waiver. The Modi government took this risk solely to bolster the declining squadron strength of the Indian Air Force.

It is crucial to understand that during the UPA government, not only was the declining squadron strength of the Air Force completely ignored, but India's weak radar network range was also overlooked. However, due to the Modi government's procurement of various helicopters, missiles, and air defense systems, the deficiencies that arose in Indian military capabilities during the UPA regime will soon be eliminated.
- Why the S-400 missile deal is crucial for India, even ignoring US warnings
- Five Things You Should Know About Indo-Russia S-400 Deal

Guarding Above the Sea, Ready for Submarine Strikes Below

7. Despite relentless requests from the Indian Air Force, the UPA government did not purchase the Boeing P-8I Poseidon anti-submarine warfare surveillance aircraft, whereas the Modi government placed an urgent order for four such aircraft in 2016, which have now been delivered to the Navy. These aircraft will prove highly effective for the Indian Air Force (Navy). Right at the beginning of its tenure, the Modi government greenlit the construction of seven stealth frigates and six nuclear-powered submarines. This will further strengthen India's naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.

After a long wait, the first Scorpene submarine, INS Kalvari, was handed over to the Indian Navy in September 2017. The induction of INS Kalvari, considered one of the world's deadliest submarines, will boost the Navy's strength at sea. The Central Government has decided to induct 5 more such submarines into the Navy, of which two more submarines, 'Khanderi' and 'Karanj', are currently undergoing trials.
- Indian Navy receives second P-8I patrol aircraft
- Defence Council approval for six submarines and 5000 Milan 2T anti-tanks
- Indian Navy gets world's deadliest submarine, named INS Kalvari
- Defence Ministry clears Rs 40,000 crore project to build 6 submarines and 5,000 Milan 2T anti-tanks

8. In October last year, India signed an agreement with Russia under which India will receive two Krivak III-class stealth frigates. In October 2016, an agreement was also signed between India and Russia for four such frigates, under which two of these frigates will be built in India through technology transfer provisions.
Special Report: India gets deal to build 2 Russian stealth frigates

09. Recently, the government decided to build six Project 75 (I) submarines in India under Make in India. Along with this, it has also been decided to procure approximately 5000 Milan anti-tank guided missiles for the Indian Army.
- Second successful test of anti-tank guided missile, know its features

Historic Rafale Deal Will Make the Air Force Invincible

10. Along with all this, the Modi government signed the Rafale agreement with France in September 2016. This agreement remained hung up for ten years during the UPA's tenure, and they ultimately did not complete the deal, claiming 'there is no money for the aircraft'. But the Modi government understood the need of the Indian Air Force and immediately ordered 36 Rafale aircraft.
- Know the 10 features of Rafale that will give strength to the Air Force
- Know the specialty of the 'Rafale aircraft' that will defeat the enemy, expert in deception
- Rafale's arrival will increase India's influence among neighboring countries, know its features
- Rafale Deal Controversy: Things You Should Know

11. The Modi government has also fast-tracked the process of inducting C-130J 'Super Hercules' and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft into the military for troop and cargo movement.

From Bulletproof Jackets and Helmets to Extreme Cold Weather Clothing for Soldiers

12. After an extremely long wait of nine years, the Indian Army has finally started receiving bulletproof jackets. The government signed a Rs 639 crore deal with a private company, SMPP Private Limited, last year for these 1.86 lakh jackets. After a wait of two decades, the Army has also started receiving bulletproof helmets due to the efforts of the Modi government. These helmets are also being manufactured in India by a private company in Kanpur. Despite repeated requests from the military, the UPA government had taken no steps to provide these helmets and jackets.
- Army soldiers to get 1.86 lakh bulletproof jackets

13. Apart from all these equipment and weapons, the Modi government has also signed deals with Indian companies to manufacture clothing suitable for extreme cold weather for the military. Additionally, the Modi government has entrusted DRDO with the responsibility of making robust arrangements for housing troops in adverse conditions and preparing nutritious food rations for the military.
- Now soldiers in Siachen can be protected from the vagaries of weather

Indian Army to Get the Finest Guns

14. The Modi government is actively working to procure 72,000 SIG Sauer SIG-716 rifles for the Indian Army. As always, the UPA government had rejected this demand of the military as well.

15. The Modi government is also procuring Italy's .338 Lapua Magnum Scorpio TGT and America's .50 caliber M95 sniper rifles for the Indian Army. Soon, the military will also receive the indigenous 'Dhanush' artillery guns.

Also Read,

These are the 13 major works done by the Central Government in the last five years

Do you know about these 16 major projects for the country's development?

What did the country gain from Prime Minister Modi's foreign visits?

How to benefit from the Modi government's Mudra Yojana?

India’s Defence Budget: Where It Stands In The World

Russia offers Defence Technology to India Without Any Strings Attached

Nirmala Sitharaman Really Accept Beheading of Pak Soldiers?

DAC Approves Procurement of Six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels