NEW DELHI — India’s government on June 22 approved acquisition projects for its armed forces worth $4 billion, ranging from aircraft and missiles to guns and command-and-control systems. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defense Minister A.K. Antony, authorized the Indian army to receive 14 Dornier reconnaissance aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., and eight regiments of Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAMs), a ministry official says. The Dornier aircraft order is worth around $200 million, he adds.

NEW DELHI — India is set to issue a global tender to buy air defense missiles for its army, with the contract expected to be worth 100 billion rupees ($1.8 billion). “A decision to procure Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAMs) will be taken soon by the government to replace the age-old Russian Kvadrat systems,” a defense ministry official says. The proposed deal could also contain partnership and knowledge transfer clauses that would enable an Indian company to make certain major equipment for the missile, he says.

India’s armed forces are set to become highly reliant on Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), with plans to increase their use in a phased manner. “Given the threat perceptions along the borders, the country is likely to possess a fleet of around 30 attack RPAs in the next couple of years,” a defense ministry official says.