IAF to get two more satellites; India-Russia joint venture to make AK 203 rifles okayed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 23

The Indian Air Force will get two more satellites that will allow long distance real-time connectivity, while separately the India-Russia joint venture to make AK 203 series of rifles has been okayed.

It was expected to be inked when Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India for an inter-Governmental Commission meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 6.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) at its meeting on Tuesday okayed the two projects. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting.

Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was okayed for a proposal of Indian Air Force for its modernisation and operational needs amounting to Rs 2,236 crore under the category of ‘Make in India’.  This will entail procurement proposal of Air Force for having GSAT-7C satellite and ground hubs for real-time connectivity. The project envisages complete design, development and launching of satellite in India, a statement of the Ministry of Defence said.

Induction of GSAT-7C Satellite and Ground Hubs for will enhance the ability of Armed Forces to communicate beyond Line of Sight (LoS) among one another in all circumstances in a secure mode.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had launched the GSAT 7A for the IAF in 2018 and another for the Indian Navy a few years prior to that.

Meanwhile, sources said India and Russia have agreed to the terms of the deal to make AK 203 rifles in terms of numbers, price, and manufacturing processes. The deal entails the production of six lakh rifles for India’s armed forces over a 10-year period.

The first batch of 70,000 rifles will include Russian-made components. An existing factory of the MoD at Amethi will get the technology transfer.