DAC Approves Air Defence Guns Worth Rs 6,000 Cr For Army, Clears Deal For Six Submarines At Cost Of Rs 43,000 Cr

Defence Ministry said that there was a long pending need of the Indian Army for modernisation of its Air Defence guns which were earlier procured only from foreign sources. 

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New Delhi: The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday announced that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in a significant decision towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat, has approved proposals concerning Capital Acquisitions of various equipment for modernisation and operational needs of the Armed Forces amounting to approx. Rs 6,000 crore.  

In an official release issued earlier today, the Ministry said that there was a long pending need of the Indian Army for modernisation of its Air Defence guns which were earlier procured only from foreign sources. 

"With the continued thrust of Ministry of Defence towards ‘ÁtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’, an enthusiastic response from about a dozen Indian companies was received. All of them have expressed their willingness and commitment to manufacture this complex gun system and associated equipment." 

Accordingly, the DAC accorded approval of procurement of Air Defence Guns and Ammunition at an approx. cost of Rs 6,000 crore under the Buy & Make (Indian) category.  

In addition to this, the DAC has also approved issue of RFP for construction of six Conventional Submarines under Project P 75 (I) under the Strategic Partnership (SP) Model. 

The Defence Ministry said that this project envisages indigenous construction of six conventional submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs 43,000 crore. 

It claimed that this will help reduce current dependence on imports and gradually ensure greater self-reliance and dependability of supplies from indigenous sources.  Moreover, the country will be enabled to achieve its 30-year Submarine construction programme envisioned by the Government to acquire national competence in submarine construction and for the Indian industry to independently design and construct submarines in India.

The availability of new technologies and advanced manufacturing capabilities to the Industry will be an important step towards enhancing the nation’s quest for self-reliance in modern conventional submarine construction and sustainment activities whilst creating direct and indirect job opportunities in India.