NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday approved multiple defence proposals worth Rs 7,800 crore with an aim to enhance operational capabilities of the armed forces.
“A Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, held under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 7,800 crore,” said an MoD statement.
“To enhance the efficiency of the Indian Air Force, the DAC has granted AoN for procurement and installation of Electronic Warfare Suite on Mi-17 V5 helicopters, which will enhance better survivability of helicopters,” it said.
The Electronic Warfare Suite will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
The DAC has also approved procurement of a ground-based autonomous system for mechanised infantry and armoured regiments that will enable various operations such as unmanned surveillance, logistics delivery of ammunition, fuel and spares and casualty evacuation in the battlefield.
Proposals for procurement of 7.62x51 mm Light Machine Gun (LMG) and Bridge Laying Tank (BLT) have also been given the go-ahead.
While induction of LMG will enhance the fighting capabilities of infantry forces, the induction of BLT will result in faster movement of mechanised forces.
The AoN for procurement of Ruggedised laptops and tablets for the Indian Army under Project Shakti has also been accorded. All these procurements will be sourced from indigenous vendors.
The operational capability of the MH-60R helicopters of the Indian Navy will get enhanced capability as DAC has accorded AoN to procure weapons.
The AoN means the government has accepted the need for the equipment and is the first step towards initiation of the procurement process.
The DAC is the highest decision-making body on policy and capital acquisition matters concerning the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard.
The IAF threw in its lot with the formidable Mi-17 V5 medium-lift multi-role helicopter platform after Air HQ showed interest in arming the chopper with brand new electronic warfare suites comprising radar warning receiver, missile approach warning system and counter-measure dispensing system.
A limited number from the fleet would be fitted with a laser warning receiver and directed infrared counter-measure. The IAF has stipulated that it wants this to be an Indian system by an Indian vendor.
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