New Delhi: Thedefence ministryon Friday inked a major Rs 5,336 croredealwith defence PSU Bharat Electronics for procurement of electronic fuzes for the artillery guns of the Army as part of the long-term requirement of 10 years.Electronic fuzes are an integral component of medium to heavy calibre artillery guns that provide sustained long-range firepower for military operations.“The fuzes, which will be manufactured by BEL at its Pune and upcoming Nagpur plants, will be used in artillery guns capable of lethal engagements in various kinds of terrain including high-altitude areas along the northern borders (with China),”a defence ministry official said.“The aim of the project is to build up ammunition stocks to minimize imports, achieve self-sufficiency in ammunition manufacturing, obtain critical technologies and secure stock affected by supply chain disruptions,” he added. tnn