New Delhi : The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or in-principle approval, for a series of defence acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹1.10 lakh crore.
For the Indian Army, the approvals cover the 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 the Army to detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by CBRN agents. HMVs are aimed at strengthening mobility, logistics and operational capabilities in difficult terrain, while the MMLs will provide faster and more responsive mine-laying capabilities.
The Advanced Light Helicopters will support complex missions across diverse terrains and operational conditions for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge Systems will facilitate the construction of composite crossings for fighting formations during operations in varied terrain.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of Arudhra Radars as well as the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines (MGTs). The Arudhra Radars will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations. The development and procurement of MGTs, which are used for warship propulsion, is expected to reduce the Navy’s dependence on foreign suppliers.
For the Indian Air Force, the council cleared several proposals aimed at strengthening the war-fighting capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters. Approval was also granted for the procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJs) and the installation of the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) System.
The GBMPJ will enhance electronic warfare capabilities by enabling effective jamming of 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.
A major highlight of the approvals is the strong emphasis on indigenous defence manufacturing. Around 98% of the total procurements cleared by the DAC will be sourced from Indian industry, reinforcing the government’s focus on self-reliance and strengthening the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.