The AoNs granted for the current year fixed asset acquisitions stand at over Rs 2.71 lakh crore (Rs 2.71 trillion). Of these purchases, 99% will come from Indian industrys
By Vikas Gupta
Defence News of India, 17 Mar 23
The Defense Acquisition Board (DAC), the Defense Ministry’s top arms procurement body, met on Thursday under the chairmanship of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and granted acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for fixed asset acquisitions worth Rs 70,500 Crore.
Among these proposals, which are handled under the highest priority category of “Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}”, Indian Navy procurements amount to more than Rs 56,000 crore.
These largely include indigenous BrahMos missiles, Shakti electronic warfare (EW) systems and maritime utility helicopters.
Including the latest proposals, the AoNs granted for capital acquisitions in the current financial year 2022-23 stand at over Rs 2.71 lakh crore (Rs 2.71 trillion). Of these, 99% of purchases will come from Indian industries.
“Such amount of indigenous procurement will galvanize Indian industries towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” said a Defense Ministry press release.
The Navy’s additional acquisition of BrahMos missile systems will enhance its maritime strike capabilities and anti-surface warfare operations. At the same time, the acquisition of utility helicopters will multiply the Navy’s operational readiness in the field of search and rescue, casualty evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
Similarly, Shakti EW systems will equip and modernize the Navy’s frontline warships to counter adversary naval operations.
Compliance with the AoN for medium-speed marine diesel engines in the “Make-I” category is significant as, for the first time, India is venturing into the development and manufacture of such engines locally.
To achieve the same goals, the DAC approved the Indian Air Force (IAF) proposal to equip the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter with the Native Long Range Weapon (LRSOW).
For the Army Artillery Modernization Program, the AoN was granted for the procurement of 155mm/52 Caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) as well as High mobility (HMV) and gun towing vehicles (GTV).
The DAC has also awarded AoN for the procurement of Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) MK-III from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Coast Guard.
“The helicopter will be able to carry a suite of surveillance sensors to enhance its surveillance capabilities. It will also offer full night capability and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability for Indian Coast Guard operations,” said said a Defense Ministry statement.
Permissions of Atmanirbhar Bharat
1. BrahMos missiles, Shakti EW systems and Utility Helicopters-Maritime, valued at Rs 56,000 crore, cleared for Indian Navy
2. Long-range weapon for IAF gets green light; to be integrated on Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft
3. 155 mm / 52 caliber ATAGS to be acquired for the army
4. Indian Coast Guard to Obtain Advanced Light MK-III Helicopters from HAL
5. Worth Rs 2.71 lakh crore of duty-paid supply in the financial year 2022-23; 99% from Indian industries
