Important decisions taken in the DAC meeting, ₹51 billion sanctioned for purchase of defence equipment

New Delhi: – Meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) was held in New Delhi, presided over by Defence Minister RajNath Singh. This is the first meeting held, after the appointment of General Bipin Rawat, as the Chief of Defence Staff of India. Purchase of Defence equipment worth nearly ₹ 51 billion was approved during the meeting. The equipment includes materials required for Electronic Warfare.

The techniques of War are changing rapidly, in the current times and the country’s defence forces have inferred that it has become mandatory to master the skills, in the new war techniques, along with the conventional methods. Leading the electronic warfare technique sector becomes vital for India and therefore, the decisions in the DAC become crucial. DRDO has already developed a system to play a vital role in this kind of warfare. Sources informed that purchase of this system was approved during the DAC meeting.

Purchases worth nearly ₹51 billion were cleared in the DAC meeting. Even in the future, such decisions for up-gradation and modernisations of the defence forces will be taken expeditiously. Need to cut out the ret tape to make the decision making the purchase process fast, was being expressed. This DAC meeting shows that the process has started.

The decision to develop six submarines, for the Indian Navy, in collaboration with another country, also was taken during the DAC meeting. It was said that a decision was taken, during the DAC meeting, accepting the need to encourage the private companies, for indigenous manufacture of submarines and fighter jets.

The shortage of submarines and fighter jets is a cause for concern for the Navy and the Airforce. The military analysts have already advised that there is a need to involve private companies, to achieve the objective of indigenous manufacture of submarines and fighter jets.

Accordingly, moves to increase the speed of defence equipment manufacture, with Public-Private Partnership (PPP) are already underway. It has already been revealed that the defence ministry is taking initiative in this matter. Leading companies in the country have expressed eagerness to participate in the project. This will reduce the cost incurred on the imported defence equipment and weaponry. This will also increase the scope for the domestic defence industry and will create additional employment. Indications are that important decisions have been taken in this regard, during the DAC meeting.