India has signed a Rs 2.0 billion deal with Russia to acquire 'Strum Ataka' anti-tank missile for its fleet of Mi-35 attack choppers.
According to the government sources the deal was signed with Russia under the emergency clauses through which the missiles would be supplied within three months of contract signing.
The deal for acquiring 'Strum Ataka' antitank missiles is worth around Rs 2.0 billion and would give an added capability to the Mi-35 attack choppers to take out enemy tanks and other armoured elements.
The Mi-35s are the existing attack choppers of the country’s air force and are set to be replaced with the Apache gunships being acquired from the US and slated to be delivered from next month onwards.
India has been trying to acquire the Russian missiles for a long time to keep itself battle ready in situations like the one post-Balakot aerial strikes but the deal has been signed under the emergency provisions after more than a decade, according to Economic Times.
Last week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had given a presentation about the procurements made by the three services under the emergency provisions.
The Indian Air Force has emerged as the frontrunner in terms of weapon acquisition under the emergency procurement, followed by the Indian Army.
The IAF has acquired the Spice-2000 stand-off weapon system along with a number of spare and air to air missile deals with multiple counties under the emergency provisions to equip itself for sudden war.
The Army is in the process of acquiring the Spike anti-tank guided missile from France and Igla-S air defence missiles from Russia under the emergency provisions.
Under the powers given to the three services, they can buy the equipment of their choice within three months at a cost of up to Rs 3.0 billion per case, government sources said.