The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved proposals worth 7,800 crore to improve the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces, the ministry announced in a statement on Thursday.
According to the government, only domestic sources will be used for all purchases.
“To increase the effectiveness of the Indian Air Force, the DAC has granted AoN for the purchase and installation of Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite on Mi-17 V5 helicopters under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category,” it continued.
Bharat Electronics (BEL) will be used to purchase the EW Suite.
The DAC has also granted acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the purchase of ground-based autonomous systems for regiments of mechanized infantry and armored vehicles. These systems will enable a variety of operations, including unmanned surveillance, logistic delivery of ammunition, fuel, and spare parts, and casualty evacuation on the battlefield.
The DAC has also approved proposals for the purchase of 7.62×51 mm Light Machine Guns (LMG) and Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT). The introduction of BLT will enable speedier movement of mechanized troops, while the introduction of LMG will improve infantry forces’ ability to engage in combat.
The AoN for Project Shakti’s purchase of ruggedized tablets and laptops for the Indian Army has also been granted. Only indigenous suppliers will be used for all of these purchases, it was stressed.
The DAC has given AoN permission to purchase weaponry for the Indian Navy’s MH-60R helicopters in order to improve their operating capacity.