The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts with ACE Limited and JCB India Limited for the procurement of 1,868 Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks (RTFLT) at a total cost of Rs 6.97 billion. The agreements were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri R K Singh and will benefit the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy.

 

The RTFLTs are essential for logistics and combat support operations, reducing manual handling of heavy equipment and enhancing operational efficiency across the armed forces. This procurement falls under the "Buy (Indian)" category, reinforcing India's defence manufacturing capabilities and promoting self-reliance in critical equipment production. 

The project is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment, particularly by engaging MSMEs in component manufacturing. This initiative marks a key step in modernising India's defence logistics while strengthening indigenous industries in line with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.

 

(PIB)