Rajnath Singh-Headed DAC Clears Purchase of smart Anti-Airfield Weapons for IAF, Navy

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday released New Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) at Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting in South Block. Present in the meeting were three service chiefs General MM Naravane, Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and CDS General Bipin Rawat.

After unveiling the new document, which will serve as the bible of defence acquisition in India in the near future, Singh said that the procedures are in line with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Taking to Twitter, Singh said that the ‘DAP 2020 will empower the Indian domestic industry through Make in India initiative with the ultimate aim of turning India into a global manufacturing hub’.

Smart Anti Airfield Weapons for IAF, Navy, assault rifles for Army

Besides the procedure, the DAC also cleared some major defence procurements. Amid major clearances include – Smart Anti Airfield Weapon being procured at an approximate cost of Rs 970 crore has been cleared for the Navy and Air Force. “To, equip frontline troops of the army, DAC also accorded approval for procurement of SIG SAUER Assault Rifles at a cost of the approximate cost of Rs 780 crore,” the Defence Ministry said.

Under the Buy Indian (IDDM) category, DAC approved procurement of Static HF Tans-receiver sets and Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon. The High Frequency (HF) radio sets will enable seamless communication for field units of Army and Air Force and are being procured at an approximate cost of Rs 540 crore, the ministry said.

The Offset guidelines have also been revised, wherein preference will be given to the manufacturing of complete defence products over components and various multipliers have been added to give incentivisation in the discharge of Offsets.

“The Formulation of DAP 2020 has been done after incorporating comments and suggestions from a wide spectrum of stakeholders,” Singh said.

As per estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion in capital procurement in the next five years, news agency PTI reported.

The meeting came in the wake of the crisis with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
While speaking in Parliament during the recently concluded Monsoon Session, the defence minister had said China continues to be in illegal occupation of approx 38,000 sq. km in Ladakh. “In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq. km. of Indian territory in PoK to China,” he added.

Notably, Singh has stressed said that a country that depends on imports for its military equipment can never be strong and asserted that being self-sufficient in the defence sector is linked to “self-respect” and “sovereignty”. On Saturday, he mentioned the government’s decision to put restrictions on import of 101 weapon and military platforms, including light combat helicopters, conventional submarines and cruise missiles, under a staggered time-line till 2024.

“This single decision has created an opportunity to manufacture defence equipment worth Rs 52,000 crore per year in India,” he said at an event.

The defence minister explained that the government’s decision to make India “self-reliant” does not mean that doors are being closed, but signifies that more doors are being opened for companies to do manufacturing in the country. The Centre will soon also bring a new Defence Production and Procurement Policy, he said online during the event titled “Deendayal Smriti Vakhyayan”.

Source: Times of India