Amid a protracted standoff with China, regular ceasefire violations by Pakistan and terrorist infiltrations, the Central government has given special powers to the Indian Army to buy ammunition and armaments without going through the red-tape, to be prepared for a 'short and intense war'.

In a major move to fill various gaps in the combat rediness of the force, the Army Vice-Chief has been assigned special powers to make hardware procurements up to Rs 40 thousand crore to maintain combat readiness for short duration "intense wars" - that would last upto 15 days.

"With this notification, Army does not have to go through the Defence Acquisition Council or Cabinet Committee on Security. All purchases under the category of emergency procurement will be done at the office of the Vice Chief of Army," said a ministry official.

After the Uri attack in September last year, an internal audit was conducted to review Army's preparedness and the audit exposed several lapses in Army's critical procurement in order to fight a 'short and intense war'.  

According to the decision, the Army Vice-Chief has been allowed to procure 46 types of ammunition and spares for 10 different types of weapons systems.

Another proposal to allow the Army to procure 20 types of armament and 6 types of mines is also under consideration.