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Jul 16, 2023

India is modernizing its army

The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Indian DefenseMinister Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposalsworth 78 billion rupees (over $943 million). The DAC approved

The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Indian DefenseMinister Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposalsworth 78 billion rupees (over $943 million). The DAC approved thepurchase of rough terrain forklift trucks, bridge laying tanks,wheeled armored fighting vehicles with anti-tank guided missiles,and weapon locating radars, all of which will be procured fromdomestic sources with an emphasis on indigenous design anddevelopment, Azernews reports, citing Tacc.

In addition, the DAC has approved the procurement of NextGeneration Corvettes (NGC) for the Indian Navy, at an estimatedcost of approximately 36,000 crore rupees (over $440 million).These NGCs will be versatile platforms for a variety of roles, suchas surveillance missions, escort operations, deterrence, surfaceaction group operations, search and attack, and coastal defense.The NGCs will be constructed based on an in-house design of theNavy, using the latest technology of shipbuilding, and willcontribute to the Government's initiative of SAGAR (Security andGrowth for All in the Region).

The DAC also approved the manufacture of Dornier aircraft andSu-30 MKI aero-engines by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), witha focus on enhancing indigenization, particularly in indigenizingaero-engine material. Further, the DAC has approved a 'DigitalCoast Guard' project under the 'Buy (Indian) Category'. Thisproject will establish a pan-India secure network for digitizingvarious surface and aviation operations, logistics, finance, andhuman resources processes in the Coast Guard.

The DAC also approved the procurement of a Long Range Stand-OffWeapon (LRSOW) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), to be designed anddeveloped indigenously and integrated into SU-30 MKI fighters. Inaddition, the DAC has approved the procurement of a155mm/52-calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) alongwith High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) and Gun Towing Vehicles (GTVs)for the Army. The DAC also approved the procurement of AdvanceLight Helicopters (ALH) MK-III from HAL for the Coast Guard.

In a boost to the government's plans to achieve greaterself-reliance in defense, India will spend 75 percent of itsdefense capital in 2023-24 on procurement from the domesticindustry, up from 68 percent in 2022-23. As many as 266partnerships were forged during the event, including 201 MoUs, 53major announcements, nine product launches, and three Transfers ofTechnology, worth around Rs 80,000 crore.

These procurements and partnerships are expected to provide asubstantial boost to the Indian Defense Industry and reduce foreignspending significantly, while also helping India achieve greaterself-reliance in defense.

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