Ministry of Defence Signs ₹858 Crore Deals for Tunguska Missile Systems and P8I Aircraft Maintenance

New Delhi, Mar 27: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) reached a significant milestone in national security today by signing two major contracts totaling ₹858 crore to bolster the combat readiness of the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

The agreements, formalized at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior officials, focus on the acquisition of advanced surface-to-air weaponry and the indigenous sustenance of long-range maritime surveillance assets.

These investments reflect a dual strategy of strengthening international strategic partnerships while aggressively pursuing the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative through domestic maintenance and repair infrastructure.

The first contract, valued at ₹445 crore, was inked with Russia’s JSC Rosoboronexport for the procurement of Tunguska Air Defence Missile Systems for the Indian Army.

These cutting-edge systems are designed to provide a multi-layered shield against a spectrum of aerial threats, including high-speed aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and cruise missiles, further solidifying the long-standing Indo-Russian defence relationship.

Simultaneously, a ₹413 crore contract was awarded to Boeing India Defense Private Ltd for the Depot Level Inspection of the Navy’s P8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft.

Falling under the “Buy Indian” category with 100% indigenous content, this agreement ensures that the critical maintenance of the P8I fleet will be conducted at in-country MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities, drastically reducing foreign dependency and enhancing the operational availability of India’s maritime surveillance capabilities.