Nirmala Sitharaman led DAC clears procurements worth over Rs 6900 crore

The Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here today approved acquisitions worth over Rs 6900 crore, including thermal imaging night sights for rocket launchers used by the Army and Indian Air Force. The DAC accorded Acceptance of Neccessity (AON) for two programs. An AON is the first step towards procuring a defence equipment.

A defence ministry statement reads that while focussing on indigenisation, the “DAC approved the procurement of Thermal Imaging (TI) night sights for a rocket launcher used by the army and air force under the ‘Buy (Indian) IDDM’ category through established Indian vendors.”

The Buy (Indian-IDDM) category of the defence procurement procedure refers to the procurement of products from an Indian vendor meeting one out of two conditions. First, the products that have been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured with a minimum of 40 per cent Indigenous Content (IC) on cost basis of the total contract value. Second, products having 60 per cent IC on cost basis of the total contract value, which may not have been designed and developed indigenously.

The TI sight for the 84mm rocket launcher will be used by troops in operations to facilitate accurate and continuous engagement of moving and static enemy targets and destruction of bunkers during complete darkness.

“The sight will enable troops to detect and recognize the movement of enemy tanks and soldiers during night and engage them with greater efficiency,” said the ministry.

Even, the effect of camouflage will be drastically reduced. “The RL detachments will be able to ascertain the location of the enemy taking cover behind foliage and thin walled constructions with greater ease,” the ministry added.

The DAC also gave approval for undertaking Design and Development of the Long Range Dual Band Infrared Imaging Search and Track System (IRST) for SU-30 MKI aircraft under ‘Make II’ sub category. The approval is also for the procurement of at least 100 IRSTs under ‘Buy (Indian–IDDM) category. The system will be able to operate in day and night conditions and will substantially enhance the capabilities of the aircraft.

The ministry added that in the last eight months the DAC has given approvals for procurement of equipment worth about Rs 43,844 crore. Out of this, Rs 32,253 crore would be made in India.

 economictimes