Rajnath Singh-led DAC set to clear mega defence deals for Indian Army, Navy, Air Force

A wide range of proposals from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including upgrading the Su-30MKI fighter jets, are expected to be taken up when the defence acquisition council (DAC) meets later this week. 

 

The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, may clear procurement proposals worth over Rs 1 lakh crore as part of the modernisation efforts of the armed forces, reports news agency ANI.

 

One of the projects which will be taken up for discussion is the upgrading of the Su-30MKI combat aircraft. The DAC had already given the go-ahead for the project. During the recent conversation between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov, on the sidelines of a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the upgrading of the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter fleet was discussed.

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Another proposal that is likely to get clearance is the procurement of Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), valued at Rs 30,000 crore. Effective against targets upto 30kms, the missile, which can operate on the move with search and track capability and fire on short halt, is set to boost the air defence capabilities of the Indian Army.

 

The Indian Air Force, meanwhile, is looking to buy three I-STAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) aircraft. These will be procured from the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and will be modified by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

 

The Navy is looking at procuring pressure-based moored mines developed by DRDO, capable of detecting and destroying surface/sub-surface targets by the acoustic/pressure influence anomaly generated by targets passing in proximity.

 

Defence