Approval for procurement of Military equipment

 

Key Points

• Procurement proposals were approved by DAC, which is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• DAC also gave approval for procurement of next generation corvettes (NGCs), for the Indian Navy. This was approved at an estimated cost of Rs 36,000 crore.
• DAC further approved a proposal for manufacturing Su-30 MKI aero-engines and Dornier aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with a focus on enhancing indigenisation.

Next Generation Corvettes (NGCs)

• NGCs will act as versatile platforms for a variety of roles including surveillance missions, deterrence, escort operations, Surface Action Group (SAG) operations, attack and search and coastal defence.
• NGCs would be constructed on the basis of a new in-house design of Indian Navy and it will use latest technology of ship building.

Procurement for Indian Army

DAC approved for the procurement of Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks (RTFLTs), for the Indian Army. Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles (Wh AFVs), Bridge Laying Tanks (BLTs), and Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) were also approved through domestic sources. Emphasis has been put on indigenous design and development.

Digital Coast Guard project

In line with government’s vision of digital transformation in defence, the DAC approved the ‘Digital Coast Guard’ project under ‘Buy’ (Indian) category. Under this project, a pan-India secure network for digitising several surface and aviation operations, finance, logistics, and HR processes in Coast Guard will be established.

Defence Acquisition Council

It is the highest decision-making body in Defence Ministry. It decides on new policies and capital acquisitions for three services including Army, Navy and Air Force as well as Indian Coast Guard. Defence Minister is the chairman of the council.