In a significant development, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has greenlit nine acquisition proposals worth a staggering Rs 45,000 crore to fortify India’s defence capabilities.
Among the notable approvals is the procurement of 12 Su-30MKI aircraft for the Indian Air Force. This acquisition is particularly noteworthy as it signifies a significant stride towards indigenization, with these Su-30MKIs set to be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The project encompasses the complete manufacturing of the aircraft and its accompanying ground systems. Crucially, these Su-30MKIs will incorporate more than 60 percent indigenous components, marking a substantial leap in India’s quest for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
These Su-30MKIs, touted as the most advanced in the Indian Air Force’s fleet, will be equipped with a range of Indian weapons and sensors, further enhancing their combat capabilities, according to Defence officials.
The Defence Ministry, in an official statement, underscored that all these acquisitions will be executed through Indian vendors under the “Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)/Buy (Indian)” category. This approach aligns with the overarching objective of fostering an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India in the defence sector.
Furthermore, the Indian Air Force will witness avionic upgrades for Dornier aircraft to enhance precision and reliability during operations. Additionally, the Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile, a potent indigenous precision-guided weapon, will be integrated into the indigenously built ALH Mk-IV helicopters.
In a bid to bolster the mechanized forces’ protection, mobility, attack capability, and survivability, the DAC has also given the green light to procure Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV), Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S), and High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles. These acquisitions are intended to facilitate swift mobilization and deployment of Artillery Guns and Radars.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC has sanctioned the acquisition of Next Generation Survey Vessels, significantly enhancing the navy’s hydrographic operations capabilities.
Commenting on these approvals, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need to elevate ambitions towards indigenization. He proposed raising the minimum indigenous content threshold for IDDM projects from the current 50 percent to a more robust 60-65 percent. Singh has directed key stakeholders, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary, and DG (Acquisition), to collaborate with the Indian Industry to achieve this goal.
This move reflects India’s resolute commitment to strengthening its defence sector, reducing dependence on foreign imports, and fostering self-reliance in line with the nation’s aspirations for self-sufficiency.
