A meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, took place on July 29, 2024, in which various capital acquisition proposals were considered.
DAC Approves Proposals For Advanced Navigation System & Interceptor Boats
A meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, took place on July 29, 2024, in which various capital acquisition proposals were considered. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded to the procurement of Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS) for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) of the Indian Army. The system is spoof-proof with high levels of encryption.
The ALNS Mk-II is compatible with Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, Navigation using Indian Constellation (IRNSS, NavlC), India in addition to Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). The ALNS Mk-II offers compatibility with Defence Series Maps resulting in very high accuracy in navigational applications for AFVs. This equipment will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Chennai under Buy [lndian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (lDDM)] category.
In order to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard, the DAC accorded AoN for procurement of 22 Interceptor Boats with latest state-of-art system capable of quick interception and shallow water operation in territorial waters. These boats will be used for coastal surveillance & patrolling, search & rescue operations, including medical evacuation.
Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC)
A Defence Acquisitions Council has been created as an overarching structure with the following composition:-
Chairman: Raksha Mantri (RM)
Members: Raksha Rajya Mantris (RRMs)
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) (when appointed)
Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)
Chief of Air Staff (CAS)
Defence Secretary
Secretary Dept. of Defence Production and Supplies
Secretary, Defence Research and Development
Secretary, Defence Finance
Vice Chief of Defence Staff (when appointed)/CISC
Special Secretary (Acquisition)
Functions
Give ‘in principle’ approval to Capital acquisitions in the Long-Term Perspective Plan (LTPP) covering a 15-year time span at the beginning of a 5 Year Plan period. (The approval will, in particular, identify the ‘Make’ projects in the Perspective Plan where long gestation periods are involved).
Or – ‘Buy and Make’ projects (purchase followed by licensed production/ indigenous development)
Or – ‘Make’ Projects (indigenous production and R&D)
Monitor the progress of major projects on a feedback from the Defence Procurement Board. The DAC will meet as required. The approval in principle should be seen as first step in the process of ‘acceptance of necessity’ by the concerned Administrative Wing in MoD in consultation with Defence(Finance) and as a recommendation for eventual consideration of FM/CCS (as required)
The decision of RM based on DAC deliberations will flow down from implementation to Defence Procurement Board, Defence Production Board and Defence R&D Board.
