The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday approved purchase of assorted equipment worth Rs 1.05 lakh crore for the armed forces, all from indigenous sources. This is the first major decision to acquire defence goods after Operation Sindoor, which displayed the country’s enhanced prowess in precision air strikes.
The DAC, headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh accorded “Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)” for 10 capital acquisition proposals for procurement of armoured recovery vehicles, electronic warfare system, integrated common inventory management system for the tri-services and surface-to-air missiles, an official statement said.
These procurements will provide higher mobility, effective air defence, better supply chain management and augment the operational preparedness of the armed forces, it said.
Approvals were also accorded for procurement of mine counter measure vessels, super rapid gun mount and submersible autonomous vessels. “These procurements will enable mitigation of potential risks posed to the naval and merchant vessels,” the ministry said.
AoN signifies the government’s recognition of the need for the equipment or system.
In a recent interview with FE, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated that, the government “has been absolutely ready to yield to any of their (defence forces) requests for capital equipment all through the last eleven years.” “Operation Sindoor happened with technologies showing the way the defence forces could handle the situation. Technology, ammunition, and other vector-related costs will all have to be given support,” she said.
In March this year, the DAC had accorded AoNs to eight capital acquisition proposals amounting to over Rs 54,000 crore, including for procurement of 1350 HP Engine for the Army.
On Thursday, AoNs were also accorded for procurement of moored mines, mine counter measure vessels, super rapid gun mount and submersible autonomous vessels. “These procurements will enable mitigation of potential risks posed to the naval and merchant vessels, the government said.
To provide further impetus to indigenous design and development, AoNs were accorded under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category.