Giving a major boost to the Indian industry with the aim of achieving self-reliance, the Government here approved proposals for various weapon systems worth `84,560 crore on Friday. This includes 15 maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the navy and coast guard, alongside radars and anti-tank mines.
The nod for these proposed deals was given in the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Officials emphasised that the approvals, in the true spirit of ‘aatmanirbharta,’ lay special emphasis on procurement of equipment from Indian vendors. The DAC, as the apex body in the Defence Ministry, is responsible for giving the go-ahead to proposals of the three Armed forces, with the final decision resting with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Detailing the approved deals, officials highlighted that the DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft through the Buy and Make category.
This is aimed at strengthening the surveillance and interdiction capabilities of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) over the country’s vast maritime area.
The Indian Navy is set to receive nine aircraft, while the Coast Guard will procure six aircraft, with the total cost of this deal estimated at `29,000 crore. Sources indicated that all 15 aircraft will be built upon C-295 transport aircraft, with the project valued at around Rs 29,000 crore.
Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus are jointly manufacturing C-295 planes in India. This move aligns with the Government’s “Make in India” initiative, aiming to enhance indigenous defence production capabilities while meeting the country’s security needs.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently inducted the first C-295 transport aircraft manufactured in Spain. While the first 16 will come from Spain in fly-away condition, the remaining 40 will be produced in India at a Tata facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The latest approval to enhance the Navy and Coast Guard surveillance capabilities will take the Tata Airbus order book to 71 from the existing 56.
As for other approved deals on Friday, officials said the DAC gave the go-ahead under the Buy [Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)] category for the procurement of a new generation of anti-tank mines having seismic sensor and provision of remote deactivation with additional safety features.
To enhance operational efficiency and domination in the Tactical Battle Area for engaging targets that are Beyond Visual Line of Sight by the mechanised forces, the nod under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category was given for procurement of Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Munition System.
Further, to strengthen the Air Defence Systems, especially the capabilities to detect slow, small, and low-flying targets as well as surveillance, detection, and tracking of different targets, the DAC approved procurement of Air Defence Tactical Control Radar under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
To keep the Indian Naval Ships one step ahead of the threats posed by adversaries, the AoN under Buy (Indian) category was accorded for procurement of Active Towed Array Sonar having capabilities to operate at low frequencies and various depths for long-range detections of adversary submarines.
The DAC also approved procurement of Heavy Weight Torpedoes for enhancing the attacking capabilities of Kalvari Class submarines. The AoN for sustainment support through Follow On Support (FOS) and Repair Replenishment support through Follow On Supply Support (FOSS) for 24 MH60R aircraft under Foreign Military Sale route with the US Government was given.
Approval was also given for the procurement of Flight Refueller Aircraft for enhancing the operational capabilities and reach of the Indian Air Force. The AoN under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category for procurement of Software Defined Radios for the ICG has also been granted.
This will fulfill the requirement of the ICG for having high-speed communication with secure networking capability for seamless information exchange between the ICG and the Indian Navy units.
To create a friendly defence start-up ecosystem and promote procurement of Advanced technologies from start-ups and MSMEs developed under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Technology Development Fund schemes, the DAC also approved amendments in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).
This will provide the much-needed incentive along with a supportive business environment for the start-ups and MSMEs under iDEX and TDF schemes, truly in the spirit of ‘Ease of Doing Business,’ officials said.
