Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) | Business Upturn

Defence Acquisition Council approves 10 capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 1.45 lakh crore

Markets Desk — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:31:03 +0000

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved 10 capital acquisition proposals worth ₹1.45 lakh crore. This move is a significant step towards bolstering India’s defence capabilities, with a strong emphasis on indigenous procurement. In line with the government’s vision for self-reliance, 99% of the approved acquisitions will be sourced under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ and ‘Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured)’ categories.

A key highlight of these approvals is the procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) for the Indian Army. These advanced Main Battle Tanks are expected to bring enhanced mobility, multi-terrain capabilities, layered protection, precision weaponry, and real-time situational awareness to the Indian Army’s tank fleet, marking a significant modernization effort.

The DAC also greenlit the acquisition of Air Defence Fire Control Radars, which will improve the Army’s ability to detect and track aerial targets, providing critical firing solutions. Additionally, the Council approved the procurement of Forward Repair Team (Tracked) vehicles. These vehicles, designed by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, are equipped to perform in-situ repairs during mechanized operations and will be deployed with both Mechanized Infantry Battalions and Armoured Regiments.

Further enhancing the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the DAC has approved three key procurements: Dornier-228 aircraft, Next Generation Fast Patrol Vessels, and Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels. These acquisitions are expected to significantly boost the ICG’s operational readiness, enabling effective surveillance, patrolling, search and rescue missions, and disaster relief operations in India’s maritime zones.

Indian Navy to showcase unprecedented Naval power in twin carrier operations off West coast

Gowri Jagadish — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:20:11 +0000

Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Sunday that the Indian Navy will be conducting significant operations off the West coast in the next ten days that will involve the fleets of both of its aircraft carriers, the homegrown INS Vikrant and the INS Vikramaditya.

While both carriers will be at Visakhapatnam for the current “Exercise Milan,” Admiral Kumar revealed in an exclusive interview with ANI that the twin carrier operations would not begin until the exercise was finished in the next ten days.

“The carriers, as well as the escort ships, will all proceed to the western seaboard after Exercise Milan for integration into the fleet,” stated the Commander of the Navy.

Admiral Hari Kumar noted the deployment of ten ships for anti-drone measures and an additional three to four ships involved in anti-piracy operations, indicating an unprecedented degree of naval activity in the region and highlighting the increased operational tempo on the western seaboard.

However, the Navy chief made it clear that the INS Vikrant will be stationed on the east coast once the required infrastructure is put in place there, highlighting the strategic placement of assets following operational needs.

Admiral Hari Kumar revealed that the C295 aircraft for the Navy had just received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), marking a noteworthy advancement in aerial surveillance capabilities. There are currently 15 aircraft in the works, nine of which are for the Navy and six of which are for the Coast Guard.

Emphasising the dedication to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (an independent India), Admiral Hari Kumar emphasised that the C295 aircraft would be produced in India. He went on to say that Tata Advanced Systems Limited and DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) would work together to build the sensor suite and information management system for these aircraft.

The complexity and long-term goal of strengthening India’s defence capabilities are demonstrated by the Navy chief’s warning that, as a result of the project’s developmental nature, it would take about four to five years before the first aircraft is delivered.

Defence Acquisition Council approves Rs 2.23 lakh crore in AoNs for capital acquisition

Dimple Gehlot — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:36:51 +0000

Under the direction of Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for capital acquisition proposals of Rs 2.23 lakh crore on November 30, 2023. The sanctioned amount of Rs 2.20 lakh crore, or 98% of the total, will be sourced locally, encouraging ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the Indian defence sector.

Two Anti-tank Munitions (Area Denial Munition, or ADM) Type-2 and Type-3, intended to eliminate tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and hostile personnel, were approved by the DAC for purchase. The Indian Army’s artillery forces will have a state-of-the-art Towed Gun System (TGS) as a pillar after the DAC approved AoN’s request to replace the Indian Field Gun (IFG). Furthermore, AoN was given permission to purchase 155 mm Nubless projectiles under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, which will increase lethality and safety for 155 mm artillery weapons.

To strengthen the fighting edge of T-90 tanks over enemy platforms, the DAC also authorised AoN for the acquisition as well as integration of Automatic Target Tracker (ATT) and Digital Basaltic Computer (DBC) for T-90 Tanks. Another AoN was granted for the purchase of Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles (MRAShM) under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. These missiles will be used as the main offensive weapon on Indian Naval Ships and will be installed on the surface platforms of the Indian Navy.

Additionally, under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, the DAC awarded AoNs for the purchase of Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) for the Indian Army and Air Force (IAF) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A for the IAF from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). AoNs for the locally upgraded Su-30 MKI aircraft from HAL were also granted by the DAC. By strengthening the IAF and enhancing domestic capabilities, this calculated action lessens reliance on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 saw a major revision adopted by the DAC with the aim of optimising indigenization. From now on, it will be mandatory for all procurement categories to have a minimum of 50% indigenous content, which can include components, software, and materials made in India. AoN procurement cases up to Rs 300 crore would examine requests for proposals (RFPs) from registered MSMEs and recognized start-ups, as part of the DAC’s initiative to support start-ups and MSMEs in the defence ecosystem. With DPB permission, this ceiling may be lowered on an individual basis for AoN costs up to Rs 500 crore.

Defence Acquisition Council gives nod to proposals worth Rs. 7,800 crore

Adesh Dixit — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:35:12 +0000

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.

Defence Ministry clears arms acquisition proposal worth ₹7,965 crores

Ayisha Farah — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 13:48:45 +0000

According to an official statement, the Defence Ministry authorised the acquisition of arms and military equipment worth Rs 7,965-crore, including 12 light utility helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The acquisition proposals were confirmed at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the ministry’s highest decision-making body on the matter. Besides receiving the offer to buy 12 helicopters, the DAC passed the Lynx U2 naval gunfire control system from Bharat Electronics Limited to improve naval warships’ tracking and engagement abilities, the ministry’s statement said.

On Tuesday, The DAC also signed “mid-life upgradation of Dornier aircraft” by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to enhance the naval capacity of maritime surveillance and coastal monitoring, it stated.

“As a further impetus to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), a global procurement case of naval guns has been foreclosed with these guns’ quantity added to the upgraded super rapid gun mount (SRGM) being manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL),” it noted. These SRGMs contribute niche abilities to engage quick manoeuvring targets using controlled munitions and range extensions and are to be implemented on the warships of the Indian Navy, the statement said.

“The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in its meeting of November 2, 2021, held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity for capital acquisition proposals for modernisation and operational needs of the armed forces amounting to Rs 7,965 crore,” it noted.

According to the statement, all these projects are under ‘Make in India’, focusing on the country’s design, development, and manufacturing.
The military equipment is obtained when the Indian armed forces are locked in a bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh.