From 12 Additional Su-30 MKI Fighters To Dhruvastra 'Tank-Buster' Missiles, Defence Ministry Approves Projects Worth Rs 45,000 Crore

In a significant move, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, today (15 September) approved the procurement of equipment worth Rs 45,000 crore for the Indian Armed Forces.

According to press statement released by Ministry of Defence, all equipments will be bought under the 'Buy (Indian-indigenously designed, developed and manufactured (IDDM)/Buy (Indian)' category, providing a substantial boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Among the approvals, the Defence Ministry granted acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the acquisition of 12 additional Su-30 MKI fighter jets from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

To bolster the Indian Air Force's strike capabilities, the procurement of Dhruvastra anti-tank missiles for use on advanced light helicopters Mk-IV or Rudra helicopters was also approved.

The DAC also accorded AoN for avionics upgradation of Dornier aircraft for improving the accuracy and reliability for operations.

The DAC further accorded AoN for the procurement of light armoured multipurpose vehicles and the integrated surveillance and targeting system to enhance the protection, mobility, attack capability, and survivability of mechanised forces.

Additionally, the DAC approved AoN for the procurement of high-mobility gun towing vehicles to facilitate the swift mobilisation and deployment of artillery guns and radars.

The procurement of next generation survey vessels for the Indian Navy was also granted approval, greatly enhancing the Navy's capabilities in performing hydrographic operations.

During the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the need to upgrade ambitions regarding indigenisation.

“Rather than a threshold of 50 per cent indigenous content for IDDM projects, we should aim for a minimum 60-65 per cent indigenous content,” Singh said.

Singh also directed the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary and DG (acquisition) to work towards increasing the minimum indigenous content threshold in consultation with the Indian Industry.