Drones, guns and missile shields: DAC clears Rs 2.12 lakh crore defence proposals for Armed Forces

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh on October 26, has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 2.12 lakh crore for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, with around 82 per cent of the proposed procurements expected to come from Indian industry.According to news agency ANI, the approvals cover a wide range of military equipment, including artillery systems, helicopters, counter-drone technology, surveillance and strike drones, naval missile defence systems, air defence equipment and weather radars.The DAC accorded approval for the Indian Army to procure High Mobility Vehicles, a Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System, Gun Shot Response System, Light Multi Role Helicopters, Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems, counter-drone systems, surveillance UAVs, an Integrated Surveillance and Strike System and a Long Range Kamikaze Drone System.These will strengthen mobility, firepower, battlefield surveillance and protection against aerial threats.For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of an Active Offboard Decoy System to improve defence against modern anti-ship missiles, along with other indigenously designed and constructed naval platforms to enhance combat capabilities.For the Indian Air Force, the DAC approved the procurement of helicopters, air defence systems, weapons and Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems.Special Utility Helicopters will support air transport, while the radars will provide localised weather surveillance in forward areas. Light Multi Role Helicopters will serve both the Army and the Air Force.The DAC's approvals place significant emphasis on domestic defence manufacturing, with approximately 82 per cent of the proposed procurements expected to be sourced from Indian industry.