Defence Acquisition Council approves ₹13,700 crores for indigenous weapons systems

Featured Image: BrahMos weapon systems displayed during a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade
in New Delhi | Credits: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), has approved capital acquisition proposals of various weapons and equipment required by the three armed forces.

The statement released by the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday (23 February) said three Acceptance of Necessities (AoNs) for an overall cost of ₹13,700 crore were accorded and have been accepted as the highest priority category of Defence Acquisition ― Buy Indian – IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured).

As per the press release, all these acquisition proposals will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. The proposal also includes weapons platforms and systems designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Under the proposals cleared by the DAC, is the order placed for 118 Arjun Mark 1A tanks days after Modi handed over the first Arjun Mark 1A tank to the Indian Army in Chennai.

The DAC is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard. This body was formed in 2001 after the Kargil war, which showed that the three services lacked modern defence equipment, leading to the reforming of the national security system.

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