ऑपरेशन सिंदूर जारी: सेना को मिली इमरजेंसी खरीद की ताकत, क्या होंगे बड़े बदलाव?

Fast Summary

• India’s Warning to Pakistan: India has emphasized that its ‘Operation Sindoor,’ aimed at targeting cross-border terrorism, is only a “strategic pause” unless Pakistan changes its ways.

• Emergency Procurement (EP) Powers: The government has authorized emergency procurement powers worth approximately ₹40,000 crore for the Army, Air Force, and navy. The approval was granted by the Defence Acquisition Council led by Rajnath Singh.

• objective of EP-6 Authorization:

– Immediate replenishment and strengthening of armed forces’ weaponry.
– Under EP-6, contracts up to ₹300 crore can be finalized within 40 days with delivery completed in one year.

• Past Context & Versatility:

– Such powers were earlier granted during military standoffs with China in Ladakh and for counter-terrorism operations.
– This new directive allows rapid acquisition of missiles,drones,long-range weaponry,precision-guided munitions,and counter-drone systems.

• Financial Oversight:

– Total spending cannot exceed 15% of the annual capital and revenue defence budget.
– Overseas imports require special permissions despite existing flexibility measures.

• Operational Uses in Recent Conflict:

– Indian armed forces extensively used advanced weapons like brahmos missiles (Indo-Russian), Israeli Harop drones, French SCALP missiles among others during recent hostilities.
– Advanced artillery shells such as Skystriker loitering munitions were deployed for targeted operations.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The allocation of emergency procurement (EP) powers represents India’s proactive approach towards addressing immediate operational readiness following operation Sindoor. By ensuring procurement timelines are significantly reduced (contracts closed in 40 days; deliveries within a year),this policy indicates both urgency and strategic foresight on India’s part amidst escalating regional tensions involving terrorism.The flexibility provided under EP reflects an understanding that modern warfare requires swift adaptability to emerging threats-a deviation from traditionally long acquisition processes is well-suited here. However, fiscal discipline remains a priority with limits imposed at 15% of total defense spending this financial year.

importantly though not unprecedented-the reliance on advanced systems sourced from countries like Israel or France signals continued diversification of India’s defense partnerships while balancing indigenous production responsibilities as seen with Akash missile inclusion here-A measured balance between external capability upgrades tied ahead geo-political deterrence initiatives seems prudent path evaluation .