Big shot in the arm for Indian Armed Forces! Defence Acquisition Council approves Rs 2,290 crore equipment proposals

It's a major shot in the arm for Indian Armed Forces as the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting held under the Chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has accorded approvals to proposals for capital acquisitions of various equipment required by the Indian Armed Forces at an approximate cost of Rs 2,290 crore. These include procurement from Domestic Industry as well as foreign vendors.

FULL DETAILS

- Under the Buy Indian (IDDM) category, the DAC approved procurement of Static HF Trans-receiver sets and Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW). The HF radio sets will enable seamless communication for the field units of Army and Air Force and are being procured at an approx. cost of Rs. 540 crore.

- The Smart Anti Airfield Weapon being procured at an approx. cost of Rs. 970 crore will add to the fire power of Navy and Airforce.

- Further, to equip the Frontline Troops of the Army the DAC also accorded approval for procurement of SIG Sauer Assault Rifles at a cost of approx. Rs.780 crore.

Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) – 2020

Meanwhile, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has unveiled the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) – 2020 in New Delhi. The first Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) was promulgated in the year 2002 and has since been revised periodically to provide impetus to the growing domestic industry and achieve enhanced self reliance in defence manufacturing.

DAP 2020 has been aligned with the vision of the Modi Government's Atmanirbhar Bharat and empowering Indian domestic industry through Make in India initiative with the ultimate aim of turning India into a global manufacturing hub. With the new Foreign Direct Investment policy announced,  DAP 2020 has adequately included provisions to encourage FDI to establish manufacturing hubs both for import substitution and exports while protecting interests of Indian domestic industry.