In what comes as a decisive step towards bolstering India’s military might and self-reliance, the defence acquisition council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday, approved a massive Rs 79,000 crore worth of procurements for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
For the Indian Army, Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded for the procurement of anti-tank Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES) and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) with Material Handling Crane.
The procurement of Nag missile system will boost the Indian Army’s capacity to nutralise enemy’s combat vehicles, bunkers and other field fortifications, while GBMES will help intercept, monitor, analyze, and locate radar and communication emissions.
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According to the defence ministry, the induction of HMVs will significantly improve logistic support to the forces in diverse geographical terrains.
For the Indian Navy, AoN was granted for the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPD), 30mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG), Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWT), Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System and Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.
The procurement of LPDs will help the Navy to undertake amphibious operations along with Indian Army and Indian Air Force, apart from undertaking peacekeeping operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.
ALWT, indigenously developed by DRDO's Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, can be deployed from ships, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft and is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear and midget submarines.
The procurement of 30mm NSG will enhance the capability of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to conduct Low Intensity Maritime Operations and anti-piracy activities, the defence ministry noted.
For the Indian Air Force, AoN was accorded for Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) and other proposals.
The CLRTS/DS has the capability of autonomous take-off, landing, navigating, detecting and delivering payload in the mission area.
AoN is a formal approval granted by DAC, which is the first official step in the defence procurement process. It signifies the government has accepted the need for specific military equipment or hardware and allows the initiation of the procurement activities.
