New Delhi, September 8: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to defence acquisition proposals estimated at about ₹1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, with around 98 per cent of the proposed procurements to be sourced from Indian industry.
The approvals were granted at a DAC meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 7. AoN constitutes in-principle administrative approval for an acquisition proposal.
For the Indian Army, the DAC approved procurement proposals for Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles, Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System.
The CBRN Recce Vehicles are intended to detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated with CBRN agents, while the High Mobility Vehicles are expected to improve operational capabilities, logistics support and mobility in challenging terrain.
The Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers are intended to enable fast and responsive minelaying in difficult terrain. The ALHs are to undertake complex missions across different terrains and operational situations for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System are to be used to provide composite crossings to fighting formations during operations in varied terrain.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC accorded AoN for procurement of Arudhra Radars and for the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines.
The Arudhra Radars are to replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various naval air stations. The Marine Gas Turbines, which form part of warship propulsion systems, are expected to reduce dependence on foreign vendors.
The Indian Air Force received approvals for proposals aimed at enhancing the war-fighting capabilities of its fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters.
The DAC also approved procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers and installation of the Defence Forces Secure Access Card system for the Air Force.
The jammers are intended to provide effective jamming against adversary radars, while the secure access card system is to replace existing paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable Radio Frequency Identification-based smart cards.
The Defence Ministry said approximately 98 per cent of the procurements covered by the AoNs are expected to be made from Indian industry.
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