The Defence Acquisition Council approved several proposals amounting to a total cost of about Rs 67,000 crore to boost the capability of all three services in various domains.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Tuesday approved various proposals amounting to a total cost of about Rs 67,000 crore, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to boost the operational capability of the Indian Armed Forces.
One of the proposals cleared by the DAC included the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the Indian Army for the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight for BMP to enhance night driving capability of BMP and provide higher mobility and operational advantage to the Mechanised Infantry.
For the Indian Navy, AoN was accorded for the procurement of Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, BrahMos Fire Control System & Launchers and Upgradation of BARAK-1 Point Defence Missile System, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence.
The procurement of Compact Autonomous Surface Craft was also approved to provide the capability to the Indian Navy for detection, classification and neutralisation of threats in anti-submarine warfare missions.
An AoN was accorded for the procurement of Mountain Radars and Upgradation of SAKSHAM/SPYDER Weapon System for the Indian Army. The procurement of mountain radars will enhance the air surveillance capability along and across the borders in the mountainous region. The upgradation of SAKSHAM/SPYDER System for integration with Integrated Air Command and Control System will enhance the Air Defence capability.
Furthermore, AoN was also accorded for procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the three Services. The proposed MALE RPAs can carry multiple payloads and weapons and operate at longer ranges for long endurance missions, significantly enhancing surveillance and combat capability.
The DAC has also approved measures for the sustenance of C-17 and C-130J fleets and comprehensive annual maintenance contract of S-400 Long Range Air Defence Missile System.