Defence Ministry grants emergency acquisition powers for exigencies
Given the tension at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Defence Ministry on Wednesday, in a significant move, granted emergency powers to the armed forces to procure weapons without delay. They can now buy systems up to Rs 300 crore on an urgent basis without clearances.
The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It was convened considering the security environment due to the prevailing situation along the Northern Borders and the need to strengthen the armed forces.
“The DAC delegated the powers for progressing urgent capital acquisition cases up to Rs 300 crores to the armed forces to meet their emergent operational requirements. This will shrink the procurement timelines and ensure placement of orders within six months and commencement of deliveries within one year,” the Ministry said.
Incidentally, similar emergency powers were given after the Balakot air strikes in February 2019. The armed forces have separate financial powers given to Vice Chiefs under the revenue route to procure ammunition and spares.
The latest order comes even as the Army has initiated the process to buy more than 74,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles from the US on fast track basis. These rifles will considerably enhance the firepower capabilities of the infantry soldiers guarding the 4,000 km long LAC facing China and 750-km long Line of Control(LOC) with Pakistan besides combating terrorism and infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east.
It has also placed an order for Israeli-made light machine guns(LMG) besides 250 missiles of Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) from Israel. In addition, the Army is also looking to procure additional Heron unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAV) and man portable air defence systems among others.
The latest DAC decision comes days after Rajnath recently cleared acquisitions worth over Rs 39,000 crore including acquisition of 33 frontline fighter jets besides missiles and ammunition.