Blitz Bureau
TO enhance the country’s defence preparedness, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on September 3 approved 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore. Of the total cost of Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs), 99 pc is from indigenous sources under ‘Buy (Indian)’ and ‘Buy (lndian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)’ categories. Self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector is one of the Government’s top priorities.
For modernisation of the tank fleet of the army, it also cleared the proposal for procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs). The FRCV will be a futuristic Main Battle Tank with superior mobility, all terrain ability, multilayered protections, precision and lethal fires over and real-time situational awareness. It is designed to be in service for the next 35 to 45 years equipped with next-generation operational capabilities and automation. The FRCVs are expected to be inducted in three phases,
The AoN was also accorded for procurement of Air Defence Fire Control Radars, which will detect and track aerial target and provide firing solution. The proposal was also approved for Forward Repair Team (Tracked) which has suitable crosscountry mobility for carrying out insitu repair during mechanised operations. This equipment is designed and developed by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, and is authorised for both mechanised Infantry Battalion and Armoured Regiment.
To enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), three AoNs were accorded The procurement of Dornier-228 aircraft, next generation fast patrol vessels having high operational features in rough weather conditions and next generation offshore patrol vessels with advanced technology and enhanced long-range operations, will enhance the capability of ICG to carry out surveillance, patrolling of maritime zone, search and rescue and disaster relief operations.
The DAC is the top decision-making body of the Government for military procurement.
