Military hardware worth Rs 79,000 cr gets govt nod, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement proposals worth approximately Rs 79,000 crore for the Armed Forces.
• Approvals include indigenous and foreign platforms like Loiter Munition Systems, Low Level Light Weight Radars, Astra Mk-II Missiles, and SPICE-1000 Long Range Guidance Kits.
• The Indian Navy will lease High Altitude Long Range (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).
• The Astra Mk-II missiles will have a range exceeding 200 km, enhancing the capabilities of fighter jets like Sukhoi 30 and LCA Tejas.

Detailed Insights:

• The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) granted by the DAC, chaired by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is the initial step in acquiring defense equipment.
• The Indian Army will procure Loiter Munitions for precision strikes and Low Level Light Weight Radars to detect small, low-flying Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
• The procurement of Long Range Guided Rocket Ammunition will enhance the range and accuracy of the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MRLS).
• The Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II will protect vital Army assets in tactical battle areas and hinterlands.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) will acquire Automatic Take-off Landing Recording Systems, Full Mission Simulators, Astra MK-II Missiles, and SPICE-1000 Long Range Guidance Kits.
• The Indian Navy will procure Bollard Pull (BP) Tugs, High Frequency Software Defined Radios (HF SDR) Manpacks, and extend the lease of HALE RPAS.
• In the previous year, a deal was signed between India and the United States for approximately Rs 28,000 crore to procure 31 MQ-9B HALE RPAS for the Indian Armed Forces.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC): The primary body in the Ministry of Defence responsible for approving major capital acquisitions.
• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN): The first step in the defense procurement process, signifying the military's acceptance of the need for specific equipment.
• Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS): An unmanned aircraft controlled remotely, used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other operations.