Home Press Release Defence ministry clears procurement of military hardware worth Rs 45,000 crore

Defence ministry clears procurement of military hardware worth Rs 45,000 crore

  • Procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles, Integrated Surveillance & Targeting System and Next Generation Survey Vessels gets a nod
  • Proposals for avionic upgradation of Dornier Aircraft; procurement of Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile & 12 Su-30 MKI Aircraft also cleared
  • Time to upgrade indigenisation ambitions; We should aim for a minimum 60-65% indigenous content: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on September 15, 2023, has granted approval for nine capital acquisition proposals totaling approximately Rs 45,000 crore. These procurements will exclusively involve Indian vendors, falling under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)) or Buy (Indian) category. This move is expected to significantly bolster the Indian defense industry, aligning with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative.

In a bid to enhance the Mechanised Forces’ protection, mobility, attack capabilities, and survivability, the DAC has granted approval for the acquisition of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and the Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S). Additionally, the DAC has given the green light for procuring High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles, which will enable swift mobilization and deployment of artillery guns and radars.

Furthermore, the DAC has approved the procurement of Next Generation Survey Vessels to augment the Indian Navy’s capabilities in conducting Hydrographic Operations.

The DAC has also granted approval for Indian Air Force proposals, including the avionic upgrade of Dornier Aircraft to enhance accuracy and reliability during operations. The procurement of the Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile, as a potent Indigenous Precision Guided Weapon for indigenously built ALH Mk-IV Helicopters, has been given the green signal. Additionally, the DAC has approved the acquisition of 12 Su-30 MKI Aircraft along with associated equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized the need to elevate ambitions concerning indigenization. He suggested that rather than adhering to a 50% indigenous content threshold for IDDM projects, efforts should be directed towards achieving a minimum of 60-65% indigenous content. The Raksha Mantri has instructed the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary, and DG (Acquisition) to collaborate with the Indian Industry to work on increasing the minimum indigenous content threshold in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

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