In a bid to boost the Indian defense industry and significantly reduce foreign spending, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved a proposal to procure eight next-generation corvettes, wheeled armored combat vehicles and military equipment for the Indian Navy. Approval has also been given for the manufacture of bridge laying tanks for the Indian Army and aero-engines for the Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
Defense Ministry officials said, “The meeting of the DAC was held today under the chairmanship of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Capital acquisition proposals of Rs 76,390 crore of Armed Forces have been approved by DAC under Buy Indian and Buy and Make Indian categories. DAC has approved the proposal to procure Rough Terrain Fork Lift Trucks, Bridge Laying Tanks, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles through indigenous sources and Armored Combat Vehicles with Weapon Detection Radars for the Indian Army.
Also, Defense Ministry officials said, “DAC has given approval for the purchase of Next Generation Corvettes (NGC) for the Indian Navy at an estimated cost of Rs 36,000 crore. The NGC will be constructed using the latest technology of shipbuilding based on the new in-house design of the Indian Navy. DAC focused on enhancing indigenization in aero-engine material by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to AON, especially in the manufacture of Dornier aircraft and Su-30MKI aero-engines.
The Digital Coast Guard project has been approved by DAC under Buy Indian category from the Government’s vision for Digital Transformation in Defense Sector. Under this project, a pan-India secure network will be established for digitization of various surface and aviation operations, logistics, finance and human resource processes in the Coast Guard.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on the purchase of military equipment that it will save foreign exchange. “These decisions will help the Indian defense industry and save money on foreign exchange for the country,” he tweeted.