New Delhi: In a major push to military modernisation, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday cleared defence acquisition proposals worth Rs 2.12 lakh crore, including short-range air defence systems, long-range kamikaze drones, anti-drone systems for tanks and multi-role helicopters.
The council accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), the first stage of the procurement process, for the proposed acquisitions aimed at strengthening the combat capabilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force. About 82 per cent of the proposed procurements will be sourced from Indian industry, giving a major boost to indigenous defence manufacturing.
The Army’s proposals include very short-range air defence systems (VSHORADS), long-range kamikaze drones, surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), counter-drone systems, self-propelled tracked guns and light multi-role helicopters.
The VSHORADS will help counter emerging threats from small aerial targets, while platform-based counter-unmanned aerial systems will improve the survivability of tanks against drone attacks. Long-range kamikaze drones and integrated surveillance and strike systems will strengthen the Army’s reconnaissance, targeting and attack capabilities.
The council also cleared proposals for high-mobility vehicles to improve troop mobility and logistics in difficult terrain, besides gunshot response systems to provide real-time situational awareness. Self-propelled tracked guns will enhance the firepower of mechanised formations.
The light multi-role helicopters will be used by the Army and Air Force for reconnaissance, surveillance, combat, search and rescue missions.
For the Navy, the DAC approved proposals for active offboard decoy systems to protect warships against modern anti-ship missiles, besides major indigenously designed and built naval platforms equipped with advanced warfare capabilities.
The Air Force’s proposals include helicopters, air defence systems, weapons and mobile X-band Doppler weather radars.
The special utility helicopters will strengthen air transport capabilities, while the weather radars will provide high-resolution weather information in forward areas, improving operational preparedness.
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