China-Pak are no longer in good shape: 45 thousand crores approved for armed forces, weapons will be purchased for all three armies

– 12 Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft and missile ‘Dhruvastra’ will be purchased for the Air Force.

– Light armored vehicles will be purchased for the Army and survey ships for the Navy.

New Delhi (HS). With the aim of promoting self-reliance in the defense sector, the Defense Acquisition Council on Friday approved Rs 45 thousand crore for the armed forces. In this, 12 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft and short-range air-to-surface missile ‘Dhruvastra’ will be procured for the Air Force, lightly armored multi-role vehicles for the Army and next generation survey ships for the Navy.

AON has been approved for nine capital acquisition proposals in the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. As the Defense Ministry plans to upgrade its indigenization ambitions, a minimum of 60-65% indigenous content is targeted in the projects sanctioned. Therefore, to promote self-reliance in the defense sector, DAC has approved AON for nine capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 45 thousand crore for the armed forces. The DAC has also approved the procurement of next generation survey ships, which will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Indian Navy in conducting hydrographic operations.

The Defense Ministry has said in a statement that this approval has been given for the purchase of indigenously designed, developed and manufactured weapons, which will give a substantial boost to the Indian defense industry towards achieving the goal of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. DAC approved AON for procurement of Light Armored Multi-role Vehicles (LAMVs) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting Systems (ISAT-S) for the Army. Apart from this, approval has been given for the purchase of High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) gun towing vehicles for deployment of artillery guns and radar.

DAC also approved the AON for the Indian Air Force proposal that included avionics upgradation of Dornier aircraft to improve operational accuracy and reliability. Approval has also been given to procure indigenous short range air-to-surface missile ‘Dhruvastra’ for indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-IV helicopters. AON has also been given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for procurement of 12 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft along with associated equipment for the Air Force.

During the meeting, Rajnath Singh said that now the time has come to upgrade the ambitions towards indigenization. He said that instead of the limit of 50% indigenous content for IDDM projects, we should aim for a minimum of 60-65% indigenous content. The Defense Minister directed the Chief of Defense Staff, Service Chiefs, Defense Secretary and DG (Acquisition) to work towards raising the minimum indigenous content threshold in consultation with Indian industry.