Defence Ministry gives go ahead to acquisitions worth Over Rs 1 lakh crore
The Rajnath Singh-led
Defence Acquisition Council
(DAC) on Thursday accorded acceptance of necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to around ₹1.05 lakh crore through indigenous sourcing. "These procurements will provide higher mobility, effective air defence, better supply chain management and augment the operational preparedness of the armed forces," officials said.
Sources said the largest project cleared is the acquisition of 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) urgently needed by the Indian Navy. The vessels will be made in India and the winner will be decided through competitive bidding.
Indian shipbuilders are expected to rope in foreign partners for the complex project that is expected to cost over ₹44,000 crore. The Navy has been operating without a single minesweeper after retiring its older generation ships and has been trying to procure replacements for the past two decades.
Another major project cleared is the acquisition of Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) systems for the Indian Army that is valued at over ₹30,000 crore. The system has been designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation and has a range of around 30 km. The Indian Army will get three regiments of the indigenous system to complement other equipment like the Akash Air defence system.
The ministry has also accorded AoNs for the procurement of Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare System and an Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services.
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