Centre approves five defence proposals worth close to Rs 22,000 crore to ramp up preparedness

DAC has approved five acquisition proposals worth over Rs 21,772 crore on December 3

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The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved five acquisition proposals worth over Rs 21,772 crore on December 3, in order to ramp up defence preparedness.

The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement proposals of Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts, Electronic Warfare Suite, Radar Warning and Advanced Light Helicopters, among others.

As part of the approvals, India will procure 31 new Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (WJFACs) for the Navy, which will perform Low Intensity Maritime Operations, Surveillance, Patrol, and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations near to coast. These vessels will also play help in Anti-Piracy missions in the Arabian Sea as well as the Bay of Bengal, particularly around the island territories.

Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (WJFACs) are ships that are fast and agile, with the purpose of intercepting surface craft, perform search and rescue, and to protect fisheries. In the past, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has provided the Indian Navy with WJFACs.

AoN was also granted to procure 120 Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC-1), which are vessels capable to perform multiple roles such as escorting High Value Units like Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, and Frigates as well as Submarines, and will enhance India's coastal defence.

Earlier in November, India had gifted two Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) to Mozambique as part of enhancing engagement in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Soon, the acquisition of an Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) will also be initiated to enhance operational capabilities of SU-30 MKI. The EWS will have External Airborne Self Protection Jammer pods, Next Generation Radar Warning Receiver and associated equipment for the aircraft. The EWS will enhance SU-30 MKI's capabilities and protect it from enemy radars during missions against targets protected by Air Defence systems.

Bharat Electronics (BEL) is one of the defence PSUs that had developed an EWS for Indian Air Force.

The DAC also accorded approval for the overhaul of T-72 and T-90 tanks, as well as the engines of Sukhoi fighter aircraft, aimed as enhancing the service life of the equipment.