New Delhi: The procurement of future-ready combat vehicles (FRCVs) for modernisation of the Army’s tank fleet and air defence fire control radars, among other proposals was approved by the defence ministry on September 3, 2024.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cleared the proposals. The ministry in a statement said that the DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore. Of the total cost of the AoNs, 99 per cent is from indigenous sources under the “Buy (Indian)” and “Buy (lndian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)” categories.
These include procurement of seven stealth frigates under Project-17B, Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCV) for Army as a replacement for the main battle tanks, Air Defence Fire Control Radars (FCR), Dornier-228 aircraft, next generation Fast Patrol & Offshore Patrol Vessels.
“For modernisation of the tank fleet of the Indian Army, the proposal for procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) has been cleared,” the statement said. The FRCVs will be futuristic main battle tanks with superior mobility, all-terrain ability, multi-layered protections, precision and lethal fires and real-time situational awareness. There have been earlier attempts at the FRCV project which didn’t take off and eventually scrapped. This is a long drawn project to resolve the large number of T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks with the Army.
The DAC has accorded AoN for construction of seven advanced stealth frigates under Project-17B with the public sector defence yards Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) among the lead contenders for their construction, confirmed Defence sources. In the past too, orders have been split between the two shipyards.
An AoN was also accorded for the procurement of air defence fire control radars, which will detect and track aerial targets and provide firing solutions.
“The proposal has also been approved for Forward Repair Team (Tracked), which has suitable cross-country mobility for carrying out in-situ repair during mechanised operations. This equipment is designed and developed by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, and is authorised for both mechanised Infantry Battalion and Armoured Regiment,” the statement said.
To enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), three AoNs have been accorded for the procurement of the Dornier-228 aircraft, next-generation fast patrol vessels having high operational features in rough weather conditions and next-generation offshore patrol vessels with advanced technology and enhanced long-range operations. This will enhance the capability of the ICG to carry out surveillance, patrolling of maritime zones, search-and-rescue and disaster-relief operations, the statement said.
