NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday gave the go-ahead to a number of proposals for the Army, Navy and Air Force, amounting to a total of about Rs 79,000 crore. The DAC met under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in South Block here.
For the Indian Army, the DAC granted the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground Based Mobile ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) System (GBMES) and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) with Material Handling Crane.
As per the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the procurement of the NAMIS (Tracked) will enhance the Indian Army's capability of neutralising the enemy's combat vehicles, bunkers & other field fortifications, whereas GBMES will provide round-the-clock Electronic Intelligence of enemy emitters. The induction of HMVs will significantly improve logistic support to the forces in diverse geographical terrains, the MoD added.
For the Indian Navy, the AoN was given for the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPD), 30mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG), Advanced LightWeight Torpedoes (ALWT), Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System and Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.
As per the MoD, the procurement of LPDs will help the Indian Navy to undertake amphibious operations along with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
"The integrated sea capability provided by LPD will also help the Indian Navy to undertake peacekeeping operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief etc," the MoD said.
The procurement of 30mm NSG "will enhance the capability of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to conduct Low Intensity Maritime Operations & anti-piracy roles," it said.
The Advanced LightWeight Torpedoes (ALWT) to be inducted in the Navy, indigenously developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, DRDO, is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear and midget submarines.
The AoNs by the DAC also included the Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) and other proposals for the Indian Air Force.
The capabilities of the CLRTS/DS include autonomous take-off, landing, navigating, detecting and delivering payload in the mission area.
The Defence Acquisition Council serves as the highest decision-making body on defence policy and capital procurement, with its approval of the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) marking the first step in the acquisition process.