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About 82% of the approved procurements will be sourced from Indian industry, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The approvals cover a wide range of platforms, weapons and surveillance systems for the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, including helicopters, air-defence systems, drones, artillery systems and naval platforms.
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Long-range drones, kamikaze systems join Army’s arsenal
For the Indian Army, the DAC cleared proposals for High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems, Gun Shot Response Systems (GSRS), Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS) and Platform Based Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS).
The Army will also procure long-range unmanned aerial systems, surveillance UAVs, an Integrated Surveillance and Strike System and Long Range Kamikaze Drone Systems.
The HMVs are intended to improve mobility and logistical support in difficult terrain, while the Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems will combine mobility and firepower for mechanised formations.
The GSRS will provide real-time situational awareness, while LMRHs will support reconnaissance, surveillance, combat, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The VSHORADS will be used against small, next-generation aerial threats, while C-UAS systems will strengthen the survivability of tanks against drone threats.
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Rs 20,000 crore plan for 200 light helicopters
A key component of the approvals is a Rs 20,000 crore proposal to acquire 200 Light Multi Role Helicopters for the Army and Air Force, according to ANI citing defence officials.
The helicopters are to be built in India with Indian companies in the lead. The contract is expected to be split between the lowest bidder (L1) and the second-lowest bidder (L2), defence officials told ANI.
The programme could see Tata-Airbus and Adani Group-Leonardo compete for the order, while US-based Bell Helicopters is also expected to offer its helicopter, ANI reported.
The long-pending programme is aimed at replacing the armed forces' ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, with around 400 of the helicopters scheduled to be retired in the coming years.
The light helicopters are used extensively for reconnaissance and surveillance along India's frontiers, including high-altitude areas such as Siachen and Arunachal Pradesh.
Navy gets anti-missile shield
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved procurement of Active Offboard Decoy Systems (AODS) and other major naval platforms.
The AODS is expected to strengthen the Navy's anti-missile defence, particularly against modern anti-ship missiles.
The other approved naval platforms, which will be indigenously designed and constructed, are aimed at enhancing the Navy's combat capabilities with modern warfare systems.
Air Force gets helicopters, air defence systems
For the Indian Air Force, the approvals cover helicopters, air-defence systems, weapons and mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems.
Special Utility Helicopters will support the IAF's air-transport requirements, while the weather radar systems will provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas.
The approvals get the govt's nod as the armed forces seek to strengthen their capabilities across mobility, surveillance, air defence, precision strike and counter-drone warfare.