DAC Approves Defence Acquisition Proposals Worth ₹2.12 Lakh Crore

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defense Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh has approved, in principle, proposals for capital acquisitions valued at approximately ₹2.12 lakh crores for the Armed Forces of India. As per the Ministry of Defence, about 82% of the acquisitions are estimated to be sourced from the Indian industry. The approvals have been made for various types of military hardware, such as artillery weapons, helicopters, air defense assets, unmanned aerial systems, naval decoys, and weather radars.

Important Defence Purchases for the Indian Army

These acquisitions involve mobility, artillery, air defence, surveillance and drone warfare.

Equipment/System	Purpose
High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs)	Improvement in mobility and logistics support in difficult terrain
Self Propelled Tracked Gun System	To provide mobile fire power to mechanised formations
Gun Shot Response System (GSRS)	Situational awareness in real time after the detection of gunfire
Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH)	Reconnaissance, surveillance, combat, search and rescue and disaster relief purposes
Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)	Engagement of emerging aerial targets that are small
Platform Based Counter- Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS)	For providing protection from hostile drones and tank survivability
Long Range Unmanned Aerial System, surveillance UAVs and integrated surveillance and strike systems	To enhance reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition
Long Range Kamikaze Drone System	For extending the long range unmanned strike capabilities

The approvals have taken into account the increased relevance of drones, counter drone technology, mobile fire power and situational awareness on the battle field.

Naval Acquisitions: Active Offboard Decoy System

Active Offboard Decoy System (AODS), along with other naval systems, was cleared for acquisition by the Indian Navy through DAC.

An offboard decoy serves the purpose of diverting a potential threat from the ship that needs to be protected. The AODS will help enhance the Navy’s defense against modern anti-ship missiles.

Other naval systems will be indigenously developed and built, which will help improve the combat effectiveness of the Navy while providing domestic ship-building support.

Indian Air Force: Helicopters, Air Defence & Weather Radar Systems

Apart from this, proposals were cleared by the DAC on behalf of the Indian Air Force for helicopters, air defence systems, weapons & Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems.

• Special Utility Helicopters: Proposed to cater to some vital air transport needs.
• Air Defence Systems & Weapons: Proposed to enhance capabilities of air defence and warfare.
• X-Band Doppler Weather Radars: Proposed to offer high-resolution weather surveillance locally.

The Light Multi Role Helicopters which have been approved for the Indian Army are also meant for the Indian Air Force.

What is the Defence Acquisition Council?

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest decision-making body within the Ministry of Defence responsible for making decisions regarding the defence capital acquisition proposals for the armed forces. The Defence Minister chairs the DAC.

The Defence Acquisition Council evaluates acquisition requirements and provides approvals during various stages of the defence procurement cycle. The decisions taken by the council serve as an aid to the modernization of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

What is Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)?

Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is an in-principle administrative approval of a proposed defence acquisition. It implies that the requirement has been accepted for further processing. It does not imply that there has been any contract awarded or delivery made.

Subsequent stages of the defence acquisition process will depend on the procurement procedure applicable in a specific situation.