The Ministry of Defence has signed two contracts worth a total of ₹858 crore on 27th March to bolster India’s air defence capabilities and support the maintenance of its long-range maritime reconnaissance fleet.
The agreements were inked today at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi. The first contract, valued at ₹445 crore, is for the procurement of Tunguska Air Defence Missile Systems for the Indian Army. It was signed with Russia’s JSC Rosoboronexport in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh.
These advanced systems are expected to strengthen India’s multi-layered air defence network, providing enhanced protection against a range of aerial threats, including aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. The deal is also anticipated to further deepen the longstanding strategic defence partnership between India and Russia.
The second contract, worth ₹413 crore, covers the depot-level inspection of the Indian Navy’s P-8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft. It was awarded to Boeing India Defense Private Ltd, a wholly owned Indian subsidiary of Boeing, under the Buy Indian category with 100 per cent indigenous content.
This agreement will facilitate in-country Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of the P-8I fleet at domestic facilities. Officials noted that the contract aligns with the Government’s initiatives under Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, promoting self-reliance in defence maintenance and support services.
The P-8I aircraft, based on the Boeing 737 platform, serve as a critical asset for the Indian Navy, providing long-range surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime reconnaissance capabilities.
