New Delhi (Agency): The Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, made a significant stride towards bolstering the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. In a meeting held on August 24, 2023, the DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for various capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 7,800 crore.
One of the key decisions taken was the AoN for procurement and installation of Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite on Mi-17 V5 Helicopters. This crucial acquisition, falling under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, aims to enhance the survivability of the helicopters. The EW Suite will be procured from the Indian public sector company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), promoting indigenous manufacturing.
Furthermore, the DAC approved the procurement of a Ground-Based Autonomous System for mechanised infantry and armoured regiments. This innovative system will enable a range of battlefield operations, including unmanned surveillance, logistic delivery of ammunition, fuel, and spares, and casualty evacuation.
In addition to these acquisitions, proposals for procurement of 7.62×51 mm Light Machine Gun (LMG) and Bridge Laying Tank (BLT) received the DAC’s endorsement. The induction of the LMG will substantially enhance the fighting capabilities of infantry forces, while the BLT will facilitate faster movement of Mechanised Forces.
The Indian Army’s technological advancement will also see a boost with the AoN for procurement of Ruggedised Laptops and Tablets under Project Shakti. Significantly, all these procurements will be sourced exclusively from Indigenous vendors, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in the defence sector.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC sanctioned the AoN for procurement of weapons to enhance the operational capability of the MH-60R Helicopters. This move aligns with the broader objective of strengthening the naval forces.