Defence ministry approves 10 capital acquisition proposals worth ₹1.45 lakh cr

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, today approved 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to ₹1,44,716 crore.

99% of the proposals are from indigenous sources under Buy (Indian) and Buy (lndian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) categories, the ministry says.

For modernisation of the tank fleet of the Indian Army, the proposal for procurement of future-ready combat vehicles (FRCVs) has been cleared. “The FRCV will be a futuristic Main Battle Tank with superior mobility, all terrain ability, multi-layered protections, precision & lethal fires over and real-time situational awareness,” the ministry says.

The approval was also accorded for procurement of Air Defence Fire Control Radars, which will detect and track aerial target and provide firing solution. “The proposal has also been approved for Forward Repair Team (Tracked) which has suitable cross country mobility for carrying out in-situ repair during mechanised operations. This equipment is designed & developed by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, and is authorised for both mechanised Infantry Battalion and Armoured Regiment,” the ministry says.

Three approvals have been accorded to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The procurement of Dornier-228 aircraft, Next Generation Fast Patrol Vessels having high operational features in rough weather conditions and Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels with advanced technology and enhanced long-range operations, will enhance the capability of ICG to carry out surveillance, patrolling of maritime zone, search and rescue and disaster relief operations, the ministry says.

On Monday, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines for Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) under buy Indian category from HAL at a cost of over ₹26,000 crore.

The delivery of these aero-engines would start after one year and complete over a period of eight years. The engines will have indigenous content over 54%, enhanced due to indigenisation of some key components of aero-engines. These would be manufactured at the Koraput division of HAL.

“Su-30 MKI is one of the most powerful and strategically-significant fleet of IAF. The supply of these aero-engines by HAL would meet the fleet sustenance requirement of IAF to continue their unhindered operations and strengthen the defence preparedness of the country,” the ministry of defence says.

In a bid to minimise imports and achieve self-reliance in the defence sector, the ministry in July released fifth positive indigenisation list (PIL) consisting of 346 items, which will be procured from domestic manufacturers. With the release of the new list, India expects to procure a total of 5,012 items indigenously in the coming years.