NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened on Friday and granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for nine critical capital acquisition proposals totalling approximately Rs 45,000 crore.
These acquisitions, aimed at enhancing Indiaโs defence capabilities, will be sourced exclusively from Indian vendors under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)/Buy (Indian) category.
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During the meeting, the 72-year-old minister called for a significant boost in indigenous contents, suggesting a minimum 60-65% indigenous content for IDDM projects, surpassing the previous 50% threshold. This directive reinforces Indiaโs commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The DACโs approvals include critical acquisitions to fortify the Mechanized Forces, empower the Indian Navy, and bolster the Indian Air Force. These include Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV), the Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S), High Mobility Vehicle (HMV), Gun Towing Vehicles, Next Generation Survey Vessels, avionic upgrades for Dornier Aircraft, Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missiles.
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Additionally, the DAC accorded AoN for the purchase of 12 Su-30 MKI Aircraft, along with associated equipment, from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
These decisions by the defence minister signify a giant leap toward the realization of โAatmanirbhar Bharatโ in the defence sector. By prioritizing indigenous solutions and capabilities, India aims not only to bolster its national security but also to nurture a vibrant domestic defence industry.
