According to an assessment done by the Army earlier, 46 types of ammunition for tanks and artillery guns, spares for 10 types of weapons, armaments and mines was to be purchased at a cost of approximately Rs 40,000 crore.

The Indian Army was ready for a long haul as a fallout of the Balakot air strikes, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat assured the government.

The Army chief said that ammunition shortfall was met before the strike. This gave the confidence to the army brass to let the government know that if Pakistan escalated matters on the ground the Indian Army would have the edge.



Bulks of ammunition and other armaments worth Rs 18,000 crore under the emergency powers given to the Vice Chiefs were already procured and some more are in the pipeline.

"When the planning the planning for the Balakot air strike was on there was a big concern about Pakistan's retaliation on the ground but the Indian Army gave an assurance to the government that its fully prepared to foil any escalation by Pakistani Army," said an army source.

Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat talked about this in the recent retiring officers seminar.

"There were concerns about Indian Army capabilities in wake of critical deficiencies in its ammunition but the Army chief's assurance to the government came in wake of these gaps being filled and the army being battle-ready respond across sectors if Pakistan escalated matters," Army sources said.

The Indian Army had made up its critical deficiencies that were pointed out after the Uri attack in 2016 that killed 19 Indian soldiers.

In strategic meetings, disturbing facts about an ammunition shortage were put out. After this, the Army began procurement to fill up critical strategic deficiencies and enhance its capabilities to fight a "short, intense war" lasting 15-20 days, to counter the threats of China, Pakistan and terrorist infiltrations.

"The ammunition deficit has been made up to a large extent," an army source said.

Sources said out of the Rs 11,000 crore procurement deals of ammunition under emergency powers that were given to the vice chief, delivery of 95 per cent is complete.

"Over 30 additional contracts for ammunition worth Rs 7,000 crore under emergency powers signed. Delivery to start soon for meeting existing deficiencies," said an army source.

According to an assessment done by the Army earlier, 46 types of ammunition for tanks and artillery guns, spares for 10 types of weapons, armaments and mines was to be purchased at a cost of approximately Rs 40,000 crore. The government had decided that the powers must rest with the Army to buy the crucial equipment whenever it feels the need.