New Delhi, July 29: India has joined the United States (US) and Russia in shielding its important cities like Delhi and Mumbai with air missile system. According to a report published in The Times of India, the defence acquisitions council (DAC), chaired by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has approved the "acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the acquisition of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II). India is buying these missiles from the US, and the entire deal could be around $1 billion.

NASAMS-II will be armed with 3-D sentinel radar and short and medium-range missile launchers. The missile system can also track and shoots down multiple airborne threats such as cruise missile and fighter jets. According to the report, as part of the overall Delhi Area Air Defence Plan, the government is also working to realign VIP-89 area over New Delhi.

The report also states that the government is working to cut down decision-making time to shoot down unidentified planes flying over the area. The missile system is also currently deployed in various NATO countries. India is moving forward to acquire NASAMS-II, even as Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing two-tier ballistic missile defence (BMD) shield. The missile system of DRDO, is designed to track and destroy nuclear missiles both inside and outside the earth’s atmosphere.

Once developed the BMD shield will be deployed to protect cities like New Delhi and Mumbai, whereas NASMAS-II will be used to intercept cruise missiles and aircraft. According to the report, the defence ministry has kept $2 billion procurement of 24 MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters from the US. India has deferred the AoN for purchasing the helicopters till September as it wanted to close the deal in '2 plus 2' dialogue with the US.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 29, 2018 01:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).