New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, gave a green light to multiple significant procurement proposals worth approximately Rs 79,000 crore, aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The meeting was held at South Block, New Delhi, marking a key step towards modernizing India’s defence infrastructure and strengthening national security.
Indian Army’s Capability Boost with Advanced Weaponry and Vehicles
For the Indian Army, Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was granted for the procurement of the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES), and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) equipped with Material Handling Cranes.
- Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS): This advanced missile system will bolster the Army’s ability to neutralize enemy combat vehicles, bunkers, and other field fortifications effectively.
- Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES): GBMES will enable continuous electronic intelligence gathering of enemy emitters, providing round-the-clock battlefield surveillance and enhancing situational awareness.
- High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs): The new HMVs, designed for diverse terrains, will significantly improve logistical support, ensuring better troop and equipment mobility across challenging environments.
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Indian Navy’s Modernization with Landing Platform Docks and Advanced Weapon Systems
The DAC also approved AoN for several key Indian Navy acquisitions:
- Landing Platform Docks (LPD): These amphibious warfare ships will allow the Navy to conduct joint operations with the Army and Air Force, enhancing India’s ability to undertake humanitarian, peacekeeping, and disaster relief missions.
- 30mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG): This gun will strengthen the Navy and Coast Guard’s capabilities in low-intensity maritime operations and anti-piracy roles.
- Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWT): Developed indigenously by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (DRDO), these torpedoes can target conventional, nuclear, and midget submarines, significantly enhancing undersea warfare capability.
- Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System & Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount: These systems will upgrade the Navy’s surveillance and firing precision.
Indian Air Force Approves Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System
For the Indian Air Force, the DAC accorded AoN for the Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) and other key proposals.
- CLRTS/DS: This advanced system features autonomous take-off, landing, navigation, target detection, and payload delivery capabilities, enhancing the Air Force’s precision strike capacity and operational flexibility in complex mission environments.
Strengthening India’s Defence Readiness
These approvals reflect the Government of India’s commitment to modernizing the defence forces under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The acquisitions are set to provide state-of-the-art technology and equipment, boosting operational effectiveness across land, sea, and air domains.
The DAC’s decisions are pivotal in ensuring that India’s armed forces remain well-equipped to meet evolving security challenges while advancing indigenous defence manufacturing.
About the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
The DAC is the highest decision-making body under the Ministry of Defence, responsible for approving procurement proposals and overseeing acquisition policies to maintain and enhance the operational readiness of India’s armed forces.
