Defence Ministry has cleared the proposals for acquiring 814 long-range mounted artillery guns in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s buy and make in India policy. The final nod was given by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired for the first time by the new Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Key decisions taken by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
- Out of 814 long-range mounted artillery guns, Army will buy 100 guns off-the-shelf from vendor. The remaining guns will be manufactured within the country.
- DAC also gave nod to addition of 4 more nodes to Indian Air force’s (IAF) Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). At present, India has 5 IACCS nodes. This system integrates air sensors and radars to protect Indian airspace. The additional four more nodes will help to cover isolated islands thereby providing a security umbrella to the entire country.
- DAC has postponed the decision on a Tata-Airbus joint venture for manufacturing 60 light transport aircraft to replace similar number of ageing Avros. The main reason for postponing Tata-Airbus joint venture was due single vendor has bided for the project. As per Indian rules, the deal cannot be inked in such a situation.
- DAC has refrained from taking a call on the IAF requirement for 106 more Pilatus trainer aircraft. The IAF has already bought 75 Pilatus aircraft to train new fighter pilots and needs 106 more.
As per the ‘Make in India policy’ the Indian manufacturer will have to tie up with the selected foreign vendor for building the defence artillery guns and other defence related equipment’s in the country.
Some Indian companies like Tata, Kalyani and Larsen & Toubro besides public sector Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) have manufactured prototypes of 155mm 52 calibre guns and they are likely to take part in the bid in future for this project.
Three projects under the ‘Make in India’ category have been already cleared by NDA Government. They are
- Six conventional submarines project.
- Light transport aircraft deal.
- 197 light utility helicopter deal.