Rajnath Singh-chaired DAC clears capital acquisition proposals worth about Rs 1.10 lakh crore

NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday approved the in-principle administrative clearance, or Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), for defence acquisition proposals worth around Rs 1.10 lakh crore. The approvals cover requirements of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, with about 98% of the procurements expected to be sourced from Indian industry, according to the defence ministry. Defence minister Rajnath Singh chaired the DAC meeting on September 7.

Army to get CBRN vehicles, helicopters and bridging systems For the Army, the DAC cleared proposals for Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles, Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers, Advanced Light Helicopters, Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System. The CBRN reconnaissance vehicles will be used to detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by CBRN agents. The High Mobility Vehicles are intended to support operational and logistical requirements and improve mobility in difficult terrain. The mine layers are meant to provide faster mine-laying capability in challenging areas. The Advanced Light Helicopters will be used by the Army and Air Force for missions across different terrains and operational situations. Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System will be used to provide crossings for fighting formations during operations in different terrains.

Navy gets radar and marine gas turbine approvals

For the Indian Navy, the DAC cleared the procurement of Arudhra Radars and the design and development, followed by procurement, of Marine Gas Turbines. The Arudhra Radars will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations. Marine Gas Turbines are used for warship propulsion. Their design and development in India is intended to reduce the Navy's dependence on foreign vendors.

Air Force proposals include jammers and secure access cards

For the Indian Air Force, the council approved several proposals aimed at enhancing the capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters. The DAC also cleared the procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers and the installation of the Defence Forces Secure Access Card system. The jammers will be used against adversary radars, while the DEFSAC system will replace existing paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable smart cards using radio-frequency identification technology. An Acceptance of Necessity is an in-principle administrative approval that allows a procurement proposal to move forward in the defence acquisition process. It does not by itself amount to the signing of a procurement contract.