DAC clears Rs 52,000 cr military procurements

Giving a major fillip to enhance capabilities to fight modern-day wars, the Government on Friday gave the go-ahead to proposals worth over Rs 52,000 crore to procure anti-drone systems and sophisticated surveillance and intelligence-gathering satellites for the Army and IAF.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a meeting here, also approved acceptance of necessity (AON) for Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM) and the setting up of Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion System for the Navy. The DAC is the apex body for clearing proposals put up by the three Services. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister, is the final authority to approve the projects.

Giving details about the latest DAC’s clearance, officials said that for the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the procurement of Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Electronic Warfare System ‘AKASH TARANG’, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Systems, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Weapon System, Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS), Active Protection System for Tanks and Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System.

Akash Tarang will provide effective anti-UAV protection to the Army Formations. The MPATGM will enhance the potential of the infantry to counter mechanised threats posed by the adversary. The MRSAM system provides medium-range air defence against a variety of stand-off aerial threats.

The V-SHORADS with multi-spectral sensing will enhance counter-measure resilience and effectiveness of the Indian Army. The Active Protection System will be capable of improving the defence mechanism of tanks and enhancing their survivability. The Jet-Based Kamikaze Drones provide better Electronic Warfare capability with greater lethality and survivability while also being cost-effective.

For the Indian Navy, approval was given for the procurement of Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM), Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS) and the setting-up of a Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion System.

The MIGM will deny freedom of manoeuvre to the adversary. The NSUAS, equipped with advanced sensors, will enhance situational awareness of the Indian Navy. The LBTF will meet the testing requirements for the motors and associated Propulsion Systems of the Indian Naval assets.

For the Indian Air Force, the approval was accorded for the procurement of Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) and other proposals. The FW-HAPS will carry out persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, telecommunication and remote sensing for the Indian Air Force.