In a major push towards strengthening India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday cleared procurement proposals worth approximately Rs 1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 7. The approvals cover a wide range of military equipment and systems, including CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, helicopters, mechanical mine layers, radars, marine gas turbines and electronic warfare systems.
Nearly 98 per cent of the approved procurement is expected to be sourced from Indian industries, underlining the government’s focus on indigenous defence production and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
Indian Army To Get New Reconnaissance Vehicles, Helicopters and Mine-Laying Systems
For the Indian Army, the DAC approved the acquisition of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance vehicles, high-mobility vehicles (HMVs), self-propelled mechanical mine layers (MMLs), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), troll tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System.
The CBRN reconnaissance vehicles will strengthen the Army’s ability to detect, identify and monitor contaminated areas and mark them for operational safety.
The high-mobility vehicles will cater to the Army’s operational and logistical requirements, particularly in difficult and challenging terrain. Meanwhile, the mechanical mine layers will provide the force with an enhanced capability to rapidly deploy mines during operations.
"For the Indian Army, approval was granted for the procurement of Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) recce vehicles, high mobility vehicles (HMVs), self-propelled mechanical mine layers (MML), advanced light helicopters (ALHs), trawl tanks and Sarvatra bridge system," the ministry said.
The troll tanks and Sarvatra Bridge System will support the movement of troops and equipment by helping create passages for fighting units across different types of terrain.
Navy To Receive Arudhra Radars, Indigenous Marine Gas Turbines
The Indian Navy will receive ‘Arudhra’ radars under the latest approvals. The systems are intended to replace existing air-route surveillance radars at various Naval Air Stations.
The ‘Arudhra’ radars will replace existing air-route surveillance radars at various Naval Air Stations. The marine gas turbines, which serve as propulsion systems for warships, are intended to strengthen indigenous capabilities and reduce the Navy’s dependence on foreign vendors.
The design and development of these turbines in India are expected to further support the Navy’s efforts towards greater self-reliance in critical propulsion technologies.
IAF Gets Ground-Based Jammers and Secure Access Card System
For the Indian Air Force, the DAC approved several proposals aimed at strengthening the capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters.
The council also cleared the procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammer (GBMPJ) systems and the installation of the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) system.
The GBMPJ systems will be used to counter enemy radar systems and strengthen electronic warfare capabilities. Meanwhile, the DEFSAC system will replace existing paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable smart cards using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.