As tensions grow at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between China and India, the Indian Defense Ministry has decided to acquire arms worth Rs. 2,290 from the US. Since the Kowa factory in Uttar Pradesh has struggled to produce the AK-203 rifles under the ‘Make-in-India’ project, New Delhi has inked several deals to facilitate arms to its troops stationed in conflict zones.

As per The Times of India, the defense ministry has instituted a “costing committee”  after an “unreasonable and unacceptable” price was quoted by the joint-venture signed between India and two of Russia’s arms manufacturing companies. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Rajnath Singh has already cleared a deal worth Rs. 780 crores to purchase assault rifles from the global firearms manufacturer Sig Sauer, based in the US. Additional procurement deals for the Hf Trans-receiver sets and smart anti-airfield weaponry have been affirmed by the DAC on Monday.

The report also notes that India has already signed a deal of Rs. 880 crores with Israel earlier this year, obtaining more than sixteen thousand Israeli Negev light machine guns (LMGs) for the frontline troops. According to the publication, the Indian Army has been requesting assault rifles from the government since 2005, and for LMGs since 2009. These requests were time and again delayed throughout the years due to unrealistic technical requirements and corruption charges.