DAC clears defence acquisition proposals worth about ₹1.10 lakh crore
The Defence Acquisition Council has cleared AoNs for defence capital acquisitions worth about ₹1.10 lakh crore, with around 98% of the procurements to be sourced from Indian industry.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a wide range of platforms and systems for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, with approximately 98% of the procurements to be sourced from Indian industry, in New Delhi on Monday.
NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on September 7 accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or in-principle administrative approval, to various capital acquisition proposals for the armed forces estimated at about ₹1.10 lakh crore.
The approvals cover a wide range of platforms and systems for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, with approximately 98% of the procurements to be sourced from Indian industry.
Army to get new mobility and combat systems
For the Indian Army, the DAC approved procurement of Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers (MMLs), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge Systems.
The CBRN Recce Vehicles will enable detection, identification, monitoring and marking of areas contaminated with CBRN agents.
HMVs are intended to enhance operational capabilities, logistics support and mobility in challenging terrain, while MMLs will provide fast and responsive mine-laying capability in difficult terrains.
The approved ALHs will support complex missions across different terrains and operational situations for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge Systems will provide composite crossing capabilities to fighting formations operating across varied terrain.
Navy to strengthen radar and propulsion capabilities
For the Indian Navy, the DAC granted AoN for procurement of Arudhra Radars and for the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines (MGTs).
Arudhra Radars will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations.
The MGT programme is aimed at developing a warship propulsion system and reducing the Navy’s dependence on foreign vendors.
Air Force gets electronic warfare and secure access systems
For the Indian Air Force, the council approved several proposals aimed at enhancing the war-fighting capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters.
The DAC also approved procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJs) and installation of the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) System.
The GBMPJ is intended to provide effective jamming against adversary radars.
The DEFSAC system will replace existing paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with an interoperable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based smart card system.
98% procurement from Indian industry
A key feature of the approvals is the high level of domestic sourcing. Approximately 98% of the total procurements covered by the AoNs will be made from Indian industry.
The approvals therefore combine operational capability enhancement across the three services with a strong emphasis on domestic defence manufacturing and indigenous development.
