Article Posted on : - Feb 29, 2016

Indian Defence Ministry has issued an orderfor the purchase of CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache helicopters.

PANAJI (PTI): In a bid to strengthen country's defence forces, the Indian Defence Ministry has issued an order worth Rs 22,000 crores for purchase of helicopters, CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache, which will be inducted in the forces soon.

"The ministry has already issued an order for purchase of 15 Chinook Helicopters and 21 Apache helicopters which will soon be inducted in the forces," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told a select group of reporters here today on Saturday.

The minister said the order totalling Rs 22,000 crores has been placed for the purchase of these choppers, which will strengthen the capabilities of country's defence forces.

To a query regarding the upcoming Union Budget, Parrikar said the Centre has decided to allocate adequate funds for the defence sector.

"There are two elements for the budget - one is expenditure and another salaries. And on both fronts, the government has decided to give enough (funds)," he said.

Parrikar said the ministry has no constraint with regard to defence capital.

"We are fulfilling the orders which were given 10 to 5 years back. Finances for the same is already reserved," he said.

Parrikar noted with pride that in his 16 months tenure, not a single question has been raised on the defence purchase front.

"...This itself indicates that I don't fall for the pressures," he said.

Parrikar also said that with the Defence ministry giving the nod to export 'BRAHMOS' and 'Akash' missiles, Indian forces will get a boost.

Claiming that neighbour Pakistan is wary of India's defence powers, Parrikar said during a recent exhibition that Pakistan withdrew display of its JF 17 Fighter jets when India's 'Tejas' (Light Combat Aircraft) was showcased.