DAC Approves Procurement Of Defense Items Worth Rs 45,000 Crore, Including 12 Sukhoi-30 MKI Fighter Jets

The Sukhoi-30MKI has been a steadfast participant in various conflicts and military exercises since its introduction into the IAF fleet in 2002.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for nine capital acquisition proposals worth around Rs 45,000, including 12 Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets which would be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the defence ministry said in a statement on Friday. The ministry said that all procurements will be made from indigenous sources only. 

A potent twin-seater air superiority fighter aircraft, the Sukhoi-30MKI symbolises the pinnacle of aeronautical engineering. This versatile multirole fighter was developed by Russia's Sukhoi and constructed solely for the Indian Air Force (IAF) by India's HAL under licence. The Sukhoi-30MKI has been a steadfast participant in various conflicts and military exercises since its introduction into the IAF fleet in 2002.

During the discussion, Rajnath Singh emphasised that it is time to raise the bar on indigenisation objectives. “Rather than a threshold of 50% indigenous content for IDDM projects, we should aim for a minimum 60-65% indigenous content,” he said. 

"To enhance protection, mobility, attack capability and increased survivability of Mechanised Forces, the DAC accorded the AoN for procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S). The DAC cleared AoN for procurement of High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles for swift mobilisation and deployment of Artillery Guns and Radars," the statement reads. 

The DAC also granted AoN for Indian Air Force proposals, which included avionic upgrades to Dornier aircraft to increase operational precision and dependability.

The DAC has also cleared the purchase of the Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile as a formidable Indigenous Precision Guided Weapon for indigenously constructed ALH Mk-IV Helicopters.

"The DAC also approved procurement of Next Generation Survey Vessels for the Indian Navy which will greatly enhance its capabilities in performing Hydrographic Operations," reads the statement. 

According to the statement, Rajnath Singh directed the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary, and DG (Acquisition) to engage with Indian industry to raise the minimum indigenous content threshold.