New Delhi. A meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), held on January 10 under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for three capital acquisition proposals, amounting to Rs 4,276 crore. The three proposals – two of the Indian Army and one of the Indian Navy – are under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and associated support equipment which will be integrated to the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). This missile is an essential part of weaponisation of ALH for countering enemy threat. Its induction will strengthen the offensive capability of Indian Army.
The DAC also accorded AoN for procurement of VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system under design and development by DRDO. In view of the recent developments along the Northern borders there is a need to focus on effective Air Defence (AD) weapon systems which are man portable and can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain and maritime domain. Procurement of VSHORAD, as a robust and quickly deployable system, will strengthen the Air Defence capabilities.
The DAC also granted approval for procurement of Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Shivalik class of ships & Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for Indian Navy. With their induction, these ships would have enhanced capability of carrying out maritime strike operations, interdicting and destroying enemy’s warships and merchant vessels.
Helicopter launched anti-tank guided missiles figure on the long list of weapons that the government has put under an import ban to boost self-reliance in defence manufacturing. India imposed a phased import ban on 411 different weapons and systems in the past two years. These are expected to be indigenised in phases over the next five to six years.
The Helina system has all-weather day and night capability and can knock out enemy tanks with conventional and explosive reactive armour. The missile can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as the top attack mode, according to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In contrast to a direct hit, the top attack mode refers to a missile hitting a tank from above.
The DAC’s clearance to Helina missiles, very short-range air defence system (VSHORADS) and the BrahMos launcher and fire control system (FCS) for the Shivalik class of warships is under the most important category of acquisition for indigenisation under the defence procurement policy.
The navy is also set to get a capability boost, with DAC approving BrahMos launcher and FCS for the Shivalik class of ships and next-generation missile vessels. “With their induction, these ships would have enhanced capability of carrying out maritime strike operations, interdicting and destroying enemy’s warships and merchant vessels,” the ministry added.
In December, DAC had approved defence projects worth ₹84,328 crore to sharpen the combat potential of the armed forces with new military hardware, including light tanks, FICVs, mounted gun systems, missiles and bombs.
