Defence ministry clears acquisition proposals worth Rs 7,800 crore
Print/DownloadThe proposals were cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (PTI/File)
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DAC clears procurement of weapons for MH-60R choppers, EW suite for Mi-17 V5s
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The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 7,800 crore, including Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite for the IAF’s Mi-17 V5 helicopters, weapons for the Navy’s MH-60R helicopters, as well as for Light Machine Guns and ground-based autonomous systems.
The DAC, which is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is among the top bodies for clearing major capital acquisitions for defence. AoN is the first step in the long defence procurement process. Grant of an AoN does not necessarily lead to a final order.
As per a statement issued by the Defence Ministry, the installation of EW Suite on Mi-17 V5 helicopters will enhance their survivability. They will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) — a PSU under the Defence Ministry. The statement added that the DAC has also cleared procurement of weapons for the Navy’s MH-60R Helicopters to enhance their operational capability.
The DAC also cleared procurement of Ground-Based Autonomous System for mechanised infantry and armoured regiments to enable various operations like unmanned surveillance, logistic delivery of ammunition, fuel and spares and casualty evacuation in the battlefield.
Other procurement proposals which got the DAC nod were those of 7.62×51 mm Light Machine Guns (LMG) and Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT).
The induction of LMG will enhance the operational edge of the Army’s infantry forces, and the induction of BLT will aid quick mobility of its mechanised forces.
“Ruggedised” laptops and tablets for the Army under Project Shakti will also be procured from indigenous vendors.
