Government Nod to Acquire Military Hardware Worth ₹ 70,584 Crore

The Indian Navy's proposals make up over ₹ 56,000 crore of the total acquisition plan, which primarily includes Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, maritime helicopters, and other essential equipment. All platforms and weapons systems are being procured from domestic sources, and the procurement will be made under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. The approval for a medium speed marine diesel engine is significant as India is venturing into the development and manufacturing of such engines indigenously for the first time. The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded approval for capital acquisition, and the procurement proposals will help the Indian industries achieve the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and reduce India's dependency on foreign vendors. The fresh procurement proposals came amid the three-year standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh with China. The DAC approved the Indian Air Force's proposal for Long Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW), which will be indigenously designed, developed, and integrated on SU-30 MKI aircraft. Additionally, the DAC approved the procurement of Advance Light Helicopters (ALH) MK-III from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Coast Guard. The helicopter will carry a suite of surveillance sensors, enhancing the surveillance capabilities, and provide full night capability and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability for the Indian Coast Guard.