DAC clears tri-services defence proposals worth ₹1.10 lakh crore

Several tri-Services proposals, including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Arudhra Radars, and the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines (MGTs), were cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday.

The proposals are expected to cost ₹1.10-lakh crore. Sources said the Council also cleared the routine overhaul and repair of 40 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. For the Indian Army, the DAC, which met under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave in-principle administrative approval for the procurement of CBRN Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers (MMLs), ALHs, Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge Systems, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The CBRN Recce Vehicles, developed primarily by the DRDO’s Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in partnership with production agencies such as BEL, MDSL and AVNL, will detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated with CBRN agents, the Ministry said.

The ALHs will undertake complex missions across varied terrains and operational situations for the Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF). HMVs will enhance the Army’s operational capabilities, logistics support and mobility in challenging terrains.

The MMLs will provide fast and responsive mine-laying capability in difficult terrain, while Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge Systems will provide composite crossing capabilities to fighting formations during operations across varied terrains, the Ministry said.

For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of Arudhra Radars to replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various naval air stations. The Council also cleared the design, development and subsequent procurement of MGTs, a warship propulsion system, aimed at reducing dependence on foreign vendors.

For the IAF, the Council approved several proposals to enhance the war-fighting capabilities of fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters. It also cleared the procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJs) for effective jamming of adversary radars.

The IAF’s project to install the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) system was also approved. The system will replace paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable, radio-frequency identification-based smart cards.