India clears ₹1.10 lakh crore defence acquisitions for Army, Navy and Air Force

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday approved in-principle acquisition proposals worth around Rs 1.10 lakh crore for the Indian defence forces, with about 98% of the procurements to be sourced from Indian industry.

The council accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), which constitutes in-principle administrative approval, to a range of acquisition proposals for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Also Read: India-China Corps Commanders meet in Arunachal for first time


For the Indian Army, the approvals cover Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMV), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers (MML), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System.

The CBRN Recce Vehicles will be used to detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by CBRN agents. The High Mobility Vehicles are intended to strengthen operational capabilities, logistics support and mobility in challenging terrains.

The Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers will provide fast and responsive mine-laying capabilities in difficult terrains, while the Advanced Light Helicopters will be used by the Army and Air Force for complex missions across different terrains and operational situations.

The Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge System will support fighting formations by providing composite crossings during operations across varied terrains.

Also Read: India to modify Su-30 fighter jets to integrate them with RVV BD air-to-air missiles

For the Indian Navy, the DAC cleared AoN for the procurement of Arudhra Radars and for the design and development followed by procurement of Marine Gas Turbines (MGT).

The Arudhra Radars will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations. The Marine Gas Turbines, which are used as warship propulsion systems, are aimed at reducing the Navy's dependence on foreign vendors.

The council also approved several proposals for the Indian Air Force aimed at strengthening the war-fighting capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters.

The approvals include the procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJ) and installation of the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) System.

The GBMPJ will provide jamming capabilities against adversary radars. The DEFSAC system will replace existing paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with an interoperable smart-card system based on Radio Frequency Identification technology.

The Ministry of Defence said approximately 98% of the total procurements approved under the AoNs will be made from Indian industry.