The DAC has approved defence acquisition proposals worth ₹2.12 lakh crore for the Indian Armed Forces. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on October 26 approved in-principle defence acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The approvals cover military vehicles, artillery systems, helicopters, air defence equipment, drones, radar systems and naval platforms. Around 82% of the proposed procurement is expected to come from Indian industry.
Indian Army: Vehicles, artillery, air defence and drones
The DAC approved 10 categories of equipment for the Indian Army to improve mobility, firepower, battlefield awareness and surveillance capabilities.
- High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs): To improve operational mobility and logistics support in challenging terrain.
- Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System: To provide mechanised formations with greater mobility and firepower.
- Gun Shot Response System (GSRS): To improve battlefield awareness and response capabilities.
- Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH): For reconnaissance, surveillance, combat support, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance.
- Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS): To counter small-sized aerial threats.
- Platform-Based Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS): To counter drone threats and improve tank survivability.
- Unmanned Aerial System Brick Long Range: A long-range unmanned aerial system.
- Surveillance UAVs: To strengthen aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering.
- Integrated Surveillance and Strike System: To combine surveillance and strike capabilities.
- Long-Range Kamikaze Drone System: A one-way attack drone system designed to strike targets.
Indian Air Force: Helicopters, weapons and weather radars
The DAC approved proposals covering the following equipment categories for the Indian Air Force (IAF):
- Special Utility Helicopters: To meet the Air Force’s air transport requirements.
- Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH): Also approved for the Army, these helicopters are intended for multiple operational roles.
- Air Defence Systems: To strengthen the Air Force’s air defence capabilities.
- Weapons: To enhance its combat capabilities. The specific weapon models have not been disclosed.
- Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems: To provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas.
The ministry has not disclosed the number of helicopters, radar systems or weapons covered by these approvals.
Indian Navy: Missile defence and naval platforms
The DAC approved two categories of procurement for the Indian Navy:
- Active Offboard Decoy System (AODS): Designed to strengthen naval vessels’ defences against modern anti-ship missiles.
- Other Major Naval Platforms: These will be indigenously designed and constructed to enhance the Navy’s operational and combat capabilities.
The official announcement did not specify the number or exact types of naval platforms covered by the approval.
What happens next?
The approvals were granted under the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) stage of India’s defence procurement process. This is an in-principle approval and does not mean that purchase contracts have already been signed or that the equipment has been delivered.
The total estimated value of the proposals stands at ₹2.12 lakh crore, with approximately 82%
of the proposed procurement expected to come from Indian industry. Individual equipment costs, quantities and delivery timelines have not been disclosed.
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