In a major push towards ‘Make-in-India’ in the defence sector, the Defence Ministry approved proposals worth Rs 70,500 crore on Thursday for the purchase of various weapon systems for the Indian armed forces. On Thursday, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) met, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
According to officials, the DAC has approved proposals to purchase 60 Made-in-India Utility Helicopters (Maritime) and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the Indian Navy, 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) howitzers for the Indian Army, and 9 ALH Dhruv choppers for the Indian Coast Guard.
Agreement for the Weapons Need
According to a Defence Ministry release, the government saw the need for new weapons and their integration with delivery platforms in order to keep up with emerging technologies and counter adversaries on the Western and Northern fronts.
To achieve the same goals, the DAC approved the Indian Air Force’s proposal for a Long Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW) that will be designed, developed, and integrated into SU-30 MKI aircraft. The purchase of 60 Utility Helicopter (Maritime) choppers costs Rs 32,000 crore. The helicopters are intended to meet the force’s warship requirements. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was granted by DAC for capital acquisition totaling more than Rs 70,500 crore under Buy Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured).
Various Equipment for the Tri-Services
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy proposals account for more than Rs 56,000 crore of the total proposals, which primarily include indigenous BrahMos missiles, Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, and Utility Helicopters (Maritime).
While the additional purchase of the BrahMos missile system will improve the Indian Navy’s maritime strike capabilities and anti-surface warfare operations, the addition of Utility Helicopters will increase the Indian Navy’s operational readiness in domains such as search and rescue operations, casualty evacuation, and Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR).
Similarly, Shakti EW systems will equip and modernize frontline naval ships to counter any adversarial naval operations. The agreement of AoN for Medium Speed Marine Diesel Engines under the Make-I category is a significant step because, for the first time, India is venturing into the development and manufacturing of such engines indigenously to achieve self-reliance and leverage the capabilities of the industries towards the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ according to a release from the Defence Ministry.
In addition to the ongoing Dhanush Gun System and K-9 Vajra-T Gun System, the DAC granted AoN for the procurement of 155mm/52 Caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) along with High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) and Gun Towing Vehicles (GTVs) for the Indian Army.
It also granted AoN for the Indian Coast Guard to purchase Advance Light Helicopters (ALH) MK-III from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The helicopter will be able to transport a suite of surveillance sensors, enhancing its surveillance capabilities. It will also provide full night capability and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability for Indian Coast Guard operations.
Including today’s proposals, the total AoN granted for capital acquisition in the fiscal year 2022-23 is more than Rs 2.71 lakh crore, with Indian industries receiving 99 percent of the procurement. Such a quantum of indigenous procurement will galvanize the Indian industries towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the release said. The Navy has more than 150 warships in its fleet and wants each one to be equipped with at least one helicopter, which it plans to do first through the Make in India route.
The Indian Navy has warships deployed throughout the Indian Ocean region, and the warships are equipped with helicopters for reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as other operations required by the fleet.
Furthermore, ATAGS howitzers will be purchased for deployment along China and Pakistan’s borders. The ALH choppers are operated by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Indian Coast Guard. The ALH Dhruv has become an important component of all three forces’ helicopter missions.
In January of this year, the DAC approved three capital acquisition proposals totaling Rs 4,276 crore for the purchase of indigenous Helina anti-tank missiles and air defence systems to be developed for the destruction of enemy aircraft. The DAC approved the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 24 Capital Acquisition Proposals in December of last year.
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