(ET)
In the first 50 days of its second term in office, the Narendra Modi government has spent around Rs 8,500 crore on the acquisition of weapon systems including missiles and spares for the Indian Army and the Air Force. According to Defence Ministry sources, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has spent around Rs 8,000 crore in procuring missiles such as the Spice-2000, Strum Ataka ATGMs and a large number of spares under the emergency procurement route. The ministry sources said some of the projects were initiated before the 2019 elections have been concluded after the government was formed. After the Pulwama attack, the Central government had given emergency powers to the three services to buy whatever equipment is required by them for safeguarding the borders with Pakistan.
