Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday cleared capital acquisition proposals worth about ₹2.12 lakh crore for the armed forces. The meeting was chaired by the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, the Ministry of Defence said.
The council granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), the first formal step in the procurement process. It lets the services move towards seeking offers from vendors, but it is not a contract. The DAC is the ministry's highest body for clearing such purchases.
The Army received the largest set of approvals. These cover High Mobility Vehicles (HMV), a Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System, a Gun Shot Response System (GSRS), Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) and a platform-based counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS).
Long-range and surveillance drones, an Integrated Surveillance and Strike System and a long-range kamikaze drone system are also on the list.
The ministry said the HMVs will improve mobility and logistic support in difficult terrain, while the tracked gun system will give mechanized formations matching firepower and speed. The GSRS will give troops real-time situational awareness.
The VSHORADS is meant to counter small, new-generation aerial threats, and the C-UAS will improve the survivability of tanks on the modern battlefield.
The LMRH will be shared by the Army and the Air Force. The ministry said it can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, combat, search and rescue of troops, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
For the Navy, the DAC approved an Active Offboard Decoy System (AODS) and other major platforms that will be designed and built in India. The AODS is intended to strengthen defence against modern anti-ship missiles.
The ministry said the new platforms will add modern warfare capabilities and raise the Navy’s combat strength.
The Air Force got the nod for helicopters, air defence systems, weapons and a Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar System. The Special Utility Helicopters will help meet its air transport needs. The radar will provide high-resolution, localized weather surveillance in forward areas, the ministry said.
The ministry said 82% of the approved procurements will be made from Indian industry. That is in line with the government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, under which domestic sourcing is prioritized in major acquisitions.
The ministry did not give a break-up of the cost for each service or a timeline for the next stages. After AoN, proposals normally go through requests for proposals, technical evaluation, trials and price negotiations before contracts are signed.
