To
provide substantial boost to the Indian defence industry and reduce foreign
spending significantly, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and Defence
Procurement Board (DPB), during 2024, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)
for 40 Capital Acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 4,22,129.55 crore. Out of
these, AoNs for Rs 3,97,584.34 Crore (i.e. 94.19 %) have been accorded to be
procured from indigenous sources. These include:
DAC, in September 2024, accorded AoN for 10 capital acquisition
proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore. These include procurement of Future
Ready Combat Vehicles, Air Defence Fire Control Radars, Dornier-228 aircraft,
Next Generation Fast Patrol and Offshore Patrol Vessels.
DAC, in February 2024, accorded approval for AoN for various
capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 84,560 crore. The proposals
include new generation anti-tank mines, Air Defence Tactical Control Radar,
Heavy Weight Torpedoes, Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance &
Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft, Flight Refueller Aircraft and Software Defined
Radios.
In July 2024, DAC approved capital acquisition proposals including
procurement of Advanced Land Navigation System for Armoured Fighting Vehicles
of the Indian Army and 22 Interceptor Boats with latest state-of-art system for
the Indian Coast Guard.
DAC, in December 2024, accorded AoN for five capital acquisition
proposals amounting to over Rs. 21,772 crore. These include procurement of
Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts, Fast Interceptor Craft, Electronic Warfare Suite,
Next Generation Radar Warning Receiver, Advanced Light Helicopters for
surveillance in coastal areas.
MoD inked a contract with the US Government for Tri-Service
procurement of 31 MQ-9B Sky/Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance Remotely
Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in October 2024. Another contract was signed
with General Atomics Global India Pvt Ltd for Performance Based Logistics for
these RPAS through Depot Level Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul in India.
A contract was signed in February 2024 with Advanced Weapon Equipment India Limited for
manufacturing and supply of a total of 463 indigenously manufactured 12.7 mm
Stabilised Remote Control Guns for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard at a
total cost of Rs 1,752.13 crore, with indigenous content of more than 85%.
In March 2024, a contract was signed with Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited for
the procurement of 693 Armament Upgrades of Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 to
BMP2M. This upgrade includes Night Enablement, Gunner Main Sight, Commander
Panoramic Sight and Fire Control System (FCS) with Automatic Target Tracker
under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
Two contracts were inked with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited in March 2024 for
procurement of BrahMos missiles at a cost of Rs 19,518 crore and procurement of
shipborne BrahMos system at a cost of Rs 988 crore.
Induction of Drishti-10 MALE RPAs marks an important addition to
the Indian Navy’s RPA inventory. This technologically advanced aircraft would
significantly bolster Indian Navy’s surveillance capabilities and augment
Maritime Domain Awareness efforts.
Rotary Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems have been inducted
in the IN in early 2024. Four systems comprising two aerial vehicles have been
integrated on Fleet ships and are being effectively utilised for surveillance.
First nine of the 24 MH-60Rs helicopters being procured by IN have
been operationalised onboard Fleet ships.
