DAC approves Capital acquisitions of various platforms worth Rs 38,900 crore

Acknowledging the seriousness of the situation in Ladakh, where Indian soldiers are facing off Chinese intruders, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) yesterday approved capital acquisitions of various platforms and equipment required by the Indian Armed Forces. The proposals for an approximate cost of Rs 38,900 crore were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

The meet chaired by Defence minister Rajnath Singh focused on indigenous design and development.

Further, addressing the long-felt need of the Indian Air Force to increase its fighter squadrons, the DAC also approved the proposal for procurement of 21 MIG-29. It also approved upgradation of existing 59 Mig-29 aircraft and procurement of 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft.

These approvals include acquisitions from Indian Industry amounting to Rs 31,130 Crore. The indigenous equipment to be manufactured includes Indian Defence Industry with the participation of several MSMEs(medium, small, and micro enterprises) as prime-tier vendors. The indigenous content in some of these projects is up to 80 per cent of the project cost.

A large number of these projects have been made possible due to Transfer of Technology by DRDO to the Indigenous Industry. These include Pinaka ammunitions, BMP armament upgrades and Software Defined Radios for the Army, Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile Systems and Astra Missiles for Navy and Air Force. The cost of these Design and Development proposals is in the range of Rs 20,400 crore.

Acquisition of new and additional missile systems will add to the firepower of the three Services. While the acquisition of Pinaka missile systems will enable raising additional regiments over and above the ones already inducted, the addition of the long range Land Attack Missile Systems having a firing range of 1000 Km to the existing arsenal will bolster the attack capabilities of the Navy and the Air Force. Induction of Astra Missiles having Beyond Visual Range capability will serve as a force multiplier and immensely add to the strike capability of Navy and Air Force.