In a major boost to India’s military preparedness, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday (December 29) approved procurement proposals worth around ₹79,000 crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force, at a meeting attended by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the chiefs of all three-armed forces. The proposal also includes buying Astra MK2—the over 200-km range air-to-air missile—and the 120-km range guided rockets for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher.
For the Indian Army, AoN was approved for procurement of loiter munition system for artillery regiments, low-level light weight radars, long-range guided rocket ammunition for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MRLS), and integrated drone detection & interdiction system Mk-II.
Among these, the most significant is the long-range guided rocket ammunition, a proposal worth around Rs 2,500 crore.
“AoN was approved for the procurement of Loiter Munition System for Artillery Regiments, Low Level Light Weight Radars, Long Range Guided Rocket Ammunition for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MRLS), and Integrated Drone Detection & Interdiction System Mk-II for the Indian Army,” an official statement said.
Loiter Munition will be used for precision strike of tactical targets, whereas Low Level Light Weight Radars will detect and track small-size, low flying Unmanned Aerial Systems. Long Range Guided Rockets will enhance the range and accuracy of Pinaka MRLS for effective engagement of high value targets.
Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II with enhanced range will protect the vital assets of the Indian Army in Tactical Battle Area and Hinterland. AoN was accorded for procurement of Bollard Pull (BP) Tugs, High Frequency Software Defined Radios (HF SDR) Manpack and for leasing High Altitude Long Range (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). The induction of BP Tugs will assist Naval ships and submarines in berthing, unberthing, and maneuvering in confined waters or harbours.
The HF SDR will enhance long range secured communication during boarding and landing operations, whereas HALE RPAS will ensure continuous Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and credible Maritime Domain Awareness over the Indian Ocean Region.
For the Indian Air Force, AoN was approved for procurement of Automatic Take-off Landing Recording System, Astra Mk-II Missiles, Full Mission Simulator and SPICE-1000 Long Range Guidance Kits, etc. The induction of the Automatic Take-off Landing Recording System will fill the gaps in the aerospace safety environment by providing high-definition all-weather automatic recording of landing and take-off.
Astra Mk-II Missiles with enhanced range will increase the capability of the fighter aircraft to neutralise adversary aircraft from large standoff range. Full Mission Simulator for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas will augment pilots’ training in a cost effective and safe manner, while SPICE-1000 will enhance long-range precision strike capability of the Indian Air Force, the statement added.
During the meeting, it was also discussed that if all three services of the army increased the use of indigenous weapons, the number of international buyers for these weapons would increase significantly. According to international buyers for indigenous systems like NETRA, and it would not only boost defence production but also generate more employment opportunities for the defence sector.
The primary Objective behind this large expenditure is to enhance the strength of all three armed forces and further strengthen their operational capabilities. The meeting placed the Maximum focus on next generation Airbrone Early Warning and Control ( AEW&C) systems. Discussions were also held on Ambraer- based AEW&C systems and India’s indigenous Netra AEW systems.
It was highlighted that these systems are crucial for flying Patrols (surveillance) and for improving command and control coordination with ground forces. The meeting laid special emphasis on how these systems can enhance joint operations and operational control/
Airborne surveillance, command, and control are considered vital for modern warfare. Beyond that its also necessary for upgrading next-generation arms and missiles. Beyond all this political and strategic development was also discussed, particularly to promote the export of indigenous weapons to other countries. String emphasis was placed on the procurement of self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) defence equipment.
