Why in News?
The Defence Ministry signed a ₹661.50 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. (BAPL) to procure BrahMos Fire Control Systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships.
Key Facts
Contract value: ₹661.50 crore
Company: BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd.
Users: Indian Navy
Equipment: BrahMos Fire Control Systems and Launchers
Procurement category: Buy (Indian-IDDM)
Minimum indigenous content: 68%
Implementation period: 3 years
Significance
Strengthens the Indian Navy’s maritime strike capability.
Promotes defence indigenisation under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Encourages participation of MSMEs in the defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Generates employment and strengthens domestic supply chains.
Reduces dependence on foreign defence technology and imports.
What is Buy (Indian-IDDM)?
Buy (Indian-IDDM) means procuring defence equipment from an Indian vendor with indigenously designed and manufactured equipment, subject to prescribed indigenous content requirements.
BrahMos
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia.
The name is derived from Brahmaputra and Moskva.
It can be launched from land, ships, submarines and aircraft.
It is an important component of India’s precision-strike and maritime warfare capability.
Practice Questions
Prelims Question
Q. With reference to BrahMos and defence procurement in India, consider the following statements:
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia.
BrahMos systems can be deployed from multiple platforms.
The recent Navy contract for BrahMos Fire Control Systems and launchers comes under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
The contract requires 100% indigenous content.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
Explanation: BrahMos is an India-Russia joint venture and has land-, sea- and air-launched variants. The recent contract is under Buy (Indian-IDDM) with a minimum 68% indigenous content, not 100%.
Mains Question
Q. “Defence procurement under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category can play a crucial role in achieving India’s strategic autonomy.” Discuss with reference to the BrahMos programme. (150 words | 10 marks)