“We have bought new weaponry from countries like Germany and USA and more will be purchased as and when the need arises. We want to give out a strong message that we are ready for any kind of situation that arises henceforth,” Mumbai Police Commissioner D Sivanandhan said.

The weapons on display comprised MP 5 sub-machine guns, pistols by Heckler and Koch, Colt M4 Flat-top carbines (5.56 mm), MP5 tactical machine pistols, Colt M203 under-barrel grenade launchers and Barret M8 A1 long-range rifles.

“The pistols are around 1,000 in number but we do not want to give out the number of other weapons bought,” said Sivanandhan, adding this was “to avoid alerting the enemy about our readiness”.

The displayed vehicles included two Marksman armoured vehicles, four Mahindra Rakshaks, 39 combat mobiles and three light armoured vehicles

“However, I would like to point out that the greatest and the most effective weapon the police have is the batch of dedicated personnel who will be manning the weapons and the vehicles. It should be pointed out that Regional QRTs (Quick Response Teams) have been set up all over the city with around 90 personnel in each region, totalling 450 specialised personnel throughout the city to tackle any untoward situation if and when it arises,” Sivanandhan said.

“More personnel are being trained in Pune for the QRT and we plan to increase the number of specially trained commandos. We also have plans to set up a Research & Development department comprising a think tank of police officials who will analyse various ways of making the force more effective in terms of training and weaponry,” he added.

Sivanandhan also stressed the need for physical fitness in police personnel and assured the force that a state-of-the-art gymnasium would be built at Naigaon at a cost of Rs 85 lakh.

Home Minister Jayant Patil, who attended the function along with Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Chandra Iyengar, announced that pay for all QRT personnel would be doubled, for volunteering for such duty and for their motivation.