India’s Deccan Chronicle quoted Indian officials as saying that on the 28th, the Indian Ministry of Defense approved 22.9 billion rupees (approximately RMB 2.1 billion) in weapons and military equipment purchases (plans), including the purchase of about 72,000 US-made units. The Sig-Sauer assault rifle is used to equip the border forces between India and China and Pakistan.
According to reports, the highest decision-making body for the procurement of weapons and other equipment by the Indian Ministry of Defense-the National Defense Procurement Commission (DAC) approved the procurement plan that day. “The Defense Procurement Committee led by Defense Minister Singh has approved (purchased) various weapons and equipment worth Rs 22.9 billion,” the Indian Ministry of Defense said.
Officials said the cost of the Sig-Sauer assault rifle purchased for the Indian Army’s front-line units would be 7.8 billion rupees. In addition, DAC also approved the purchase of an intelligent anti-airport weapon system (SAAW) for the Indian Navy and Air Force on the same day. The report mentioned that DAC approved the purchase of high-frequency communication receivers to allow seamless communication between the Army’s field forces and the Air Force.
The report also mentioned that the Indian Army is implementing a large-scale infantry modernization plan to purchase a large number of light machine guns, carbines and assault rifles to replace its increasingly aging and obsolete weapons. In October 2017, the Indian Army began to purchase about 700,000 rifles, 44,000 light machine guns and nearly 44,600 carbines.
Regarding the Indian Army’s new arms purchase plan, the report said that considering the security challenges that India faces along the border with China and Pakistan, India has been promoting the procurement of various weapons systems, and the Indian government has also prioritized the modernization of its armed forces.
At the end of the article, it was mentioned that when the Indian Ministry of Defense was purchasing military equipment, the Indian army was caught in a border conflict with China. However, on September 24, local time, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishan Su talked about China-India relations when attending an online meeting of the World Economic Forum, saying that India and China are experiencing an “unprecedented” situation, and both sides need to sit down and seek solutions.
Earlier, during the Moscow meeting between the Chinese and Indian foreign ministers, the two foreign ministers frankly and constructively discussed the development of the Sino-Indian border situation and Sino-Indian relations, and reached a five-point consensus, including that the two sides should abide by the existing border affairs agreements and regulations and safeguard the border. Peace and tranquility in the region, avoiding any actions that may escalate the situation, etc.