DAC Approves Proposals Worth ₹67,000 Crore to Enhance Operational Capability of Indian Armed Forces
The Defence Acquisition Council sanctioned several proposals with a cumulative value of around ₹67,000 crore to enhance the strength of all three services across various sectors.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday approved multiple proposals amounting to approximately ₹67,000 crore aimed at strengthening the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces.
Among the proposals cleared by the DAC was the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the Indian Army to procure Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight for BMPs. This will improve the night-driving capabilities of BMPs and offer better mobility and operational advantages to the Mechanised Infantry.
For the Indian Navy, AoN was granted for acquiring Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, BrahMos Fire Control Systems and Launchers, and for upgrading the BARAK-1 Point Defence Missile System, as per an official press release from the Ministry of Defence.
The approval for procuring Compact Autonomous Surface Craft will enable the Indian Navy to detect, classify, and neutralise underwater threats during anti-submarine warfare operations.
The Indian Army also received AoN for the procurement of Mountain Radars and for the upgradation of the SAKSHAM/SPYDER Weapon System. The addition of mountain radars will strengthen air surveillance along and across mountainous border regions. Upgrading the SAKSHAM/SPYDER systems for integration with the Integrated Air Command and Control System will improve overall Air Defence capabilities.
In addition, AoN was given for procuring Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for all three Services. These MALE RPAs are capable of carrying multiple payloads and armaments and can perform long-range missions, substantially enhancing surveillance and strike capabilities.
The DAC also sanctioned measures for maintaining the C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft fleets, along with a comprehensive annual maintenance contract for the S-400 Long-Range Air Defence Missile System.
These DAC clearances follow the launch of Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces, which involved targeted airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation was conducted in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. It had triggered heightened cross-border tensions, which eventually de-escalated after a mutual understanding was reached on May 10.
