The Indian government, under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has given the green light to a series of critical defense procurement proposals aimed at bolstering India’s military capabilities. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved nine acquisition proposals, with a total estimated value of Rs 45,000 crore.
One significant decision involves the procurement of 12 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force. These aircraft will be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The project encompasses both the production of the aircraft and related ground systems. Importantly, the Su-30MKIs will need to have over 60 percent indigenous content, making them the most advanced Su-30MKI aircraft in the Indian Air Force’s fleet. These aircraft will be equipped with various Indian weapons and sensors.
The procurement of these defense assets will be sourced from Indian vendors, following the “Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) (IDDM)/Buy (Indian)” category. This approach aligns with the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India, and it is expected to give a substantial boost to the Indian defense industry.
Additionally, the Indian Air Force will see the avionic upgrade of Dornier aircraft to enhance their accuracy and reliability during operations. The Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile, a potent indigenous precision-guided weapon, will also be provided for the indigenously manufactured DHRUV MK-IV helicopters.
To strengthen the capabilities of mechanized forces, the DAC has approved the procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV), Integrated Surveillance and Targeting Systems (ISAT-S), and High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles. These acquisitions are intended to improve protection, mobility, attack capabilities, and survivability.
The Indian Navy will benefit from the procurement of Next Generation Survey Vessels, enhancing its capacity for hydrographic operations.
In light of these developments, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need to elevate ambitions in terms of indigenization. He suggested that the minimum indigenous content threshold for projects (currently at 50 percent for IDDM) should be raised to a minimum of 60-65 percent. Singh urged key stakeholders, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary, and DG (Acquisition), to collaborate with the Indian industry to achieve this goal through consultation and cooperation. This move underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its self-reliance in defense production.