Indian Defence Acquisition Council Approves Major Procurement Proposals

Significant Defence Procurement Approvals

Under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted 'Acceptance of Necessity' (AoN) for various procurement proposals valued at approximately ₹52,000 crores for the armed forces. This information was released by the Ministry of Defence.

For the Indian Army, the approved acquisitions include the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Electronic Warfare System 'Akash Tarang', the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) system, the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) weapon system, Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS), an Active Protection System for tanks, and jet-based kamikaze drone systems.

Details of the Approved Systems

The Akash Tarang system will provide anti-UAV protection for army units. The MPATGM will enhance infantry capabilities against mechanized threats from the enemy. The MRSAM system offers medium-range air defense against various aerial threats. The V-SHORADS, equipped with multi-spectral sensing, will improve the Indian Army's counter-response capabilities. The Active Protection System will enhance tank security and survivability, while the jet-based kamikaze drones will offer improved electronic warfare capabilities, being both lethal and cost-effective.

Naval and Air Force Acquisitions

For the Indian Navy, approvals were granted for the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM), Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS), and the establishment of a Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for electric propulsion systems. The MIGM will restrict enemy maneuverability, while the advanced sensor-equipped NSUAS will enhance situational awareness for the Navy. The LBTF will cater to the testing needs of the Navy's assets, including motors and associated propulsion systems.

Additionally, the Indian Air Force has received approval for the procurement of Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) systems and other proposals. The FW-HAPS will facilitate continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities, telecommunications, and remote sensing for the Air Force.