DAC approves procurement of military equipment, platforms worth Rs 76,390 Cr

For the Indian Navy, the DAC accorded approval for the procurement of next-generation corvettes (NGCs) at an estimated cost of around Rs 36,000 crore

The Defence Ministry on Monday approved military procurement worth more than Rs 76,00 crore, of which Rs 36,000 crore would be spent to buy eight next-generation corvettes for the Indian Navy.

To be made at an Indian yard using a design prepared by the navy’s Directorate of Design, the ships will be versatile platforms for a variety of roles ranging from surveillance missions and escort operations to deterrence, Surface Action Group operations, search and attack and coastal defence.

The proposals were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the ministry said in a statement.

The projects approved for the Indian Army gave an indication of the force’s continued thrust on infrastructure development close to India’s disputed boundary with China and preparing the troops deployed along the Line of Actual Control throughout the year.

For the Indian Army, the DAC accorded a fresh approval for the procurement of Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks, Bridge Laying Tanks, Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles with Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Weapon Locating Radars through domestic sources, with an emphasis on indigenous design and development.

The panel also approved a proposal for the manufacture of Dornier aircraft and Su-30 MKI aero-engines by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with a focus on enhancing indigenisation.

For better protection of the Indian coast, a Digital Coast Guard project has been cleared for creating a pan-India secure network for digitisation of surface and aviation operations, logistics, finance and human resource processes in the Indian Coast Guard.