Operation Sindoor: DAC approves Rs 40,000 crore for defence forces to procure arms, ammunition, says report

The armed forces will also procure air defence systems and various types of missiles and rockets (Representational image)

Operation Sindoor: In a significant development amid the ongoing Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted approximately Rs 40,000 crore under emergency powers for procurement of arms and ammunition for the defence forces.

As per an ANI report, the approval for acquisitions under emergency powers was granted by the DAC in a meeting that was attended by senior defence and military officials.

Under the emergency powers granted to them, the armed forces are focusing on acquiring important equipment like surveillance and kamikaze drones, long-range loitering munitions, and ammunition for artillery. Additionally, the procurement will also include air defence systems and various types of missiles and rockets.

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During Operation Sindoor, the armed forces deployed an array of weapons like heavy-duty BrahMos and Scalp cruise missiles, which were used to hit terror targets in Pakistan.

As per the report, under the terms of the emergency procurement powers, the armed forces will have to receive the equipment within a specific timeframe once contracts are signed.

This is the fifth tranche of emergency procurement powers granted to the defence forces in the past five years. The emergency procurement powers have helped defence forces significantly by facilitating procurement of necessary spares and munitions to address security threats.

Defence forces' procurement efforts will involve financial advisors from the defence finance division, as per sources quoted by ANI.

The Defence Ministry is also working on developing long-term projects for the armed services, with senior officials engaging with industry leaders over the matter.

As per the report, officials of the Defence Ministry have held meetings with senior executives from both public sector enterprises and private sector companies, including Solar Defence and Aerospace.

As per the report, the Rampage missile, deployed against Pakistani targets during Operation Sindoor, was also procured through these emergency procurement powers by the Air Force and Indian Navy. The armed forces later placed bigger orders for these missiles, which will now be manufactured in the country.

Both Army and Air Force acquired their Heron Mark 2 surveillance drones that were used for monitoring ongoing operations during Operation Sindoor through these same emergency powers.

As per the ANI report, Bharat Electronics Limited, a public sector enterprise, is expected to secure a contract for 10 more low-level radar systems designed for drone detection during field operations. This would be in addition to a previous order for six locator radars, according to officials.