The recent decision by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has marked a significant stride in bolstering India’s defence capabilities, emphasizing the ‘Make in India’ initiative in the aerospace and defence sector.
Here’s a detailed exploration of the key points:
Strategic Significance:
The approval of defence acquisition projects valued at Rs 2.23 lakh crore holds immense strategic importance. This move aims to strengthen the Indian armed forces, particularly amidst the prolonged military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
Procurement Projects and Their Importance:
- Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA): The approval for the procurement of 97 Tejas LCA at a cost of around Rs 67,000 crore is a major highlight. This marks a significant boost to indigenous aircraft production, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH): The procurement of 156 Prachand LCH, with 90 allocated for the Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force, underscores India’s focus on strengthening its aerial combat capabilities.
- Anti-Tank Munitions and Missiles: The DAC also approved the acquisition of area denial munitions (ADM) type-2 and type-3, along with medium-range anti-ship missiles (MRAShM), enhancing India’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
- Sukhoi-MKI Fighters Upgrade: The decision to upgrade 84 Sukhoi-MKI fighters in the IAF combat fleet with indigenously-designed weapons and systems by HAL showcases efforts to modernize the existing fleet with advanced technology.
Indigenous Procurement and DAP Amendments:
The impressive aspect is the emphasis on indigenous sourcing, with 98% of the total procurement set to be domestically acquired. This aligns with the ‘Aatmanirbharta’ initiative, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
The DAC’s approval for a significant amendment in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) of 2020, requiring a minimum of 50% indigenous content in various procurement cases, underscores the commitment to enhancing indigenous defence production.
Next Steps:
These proposals, once greenlit by the DAC, will move forward to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval. The CCS holds the ultimate authority in clearing major defence acquisitions, signifying a rigorous but necessary process to ensure strategic decisions align with national security interests.
In conclusion, this series of approvals by the DAC represents a pivotal step towards strengthening India’s defence capabilities, promoting indigenous manufacturing, and advancing the nation’s self-reliance in defence production.
