The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to crucial procurements for the defence forces, together with that of the VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system.

The DAC additionally authorised procurement of the HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and related assist gear for the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) with the Army and the Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Shivalik class of ships and Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for the Navy.

The AoN is step one within the lengthy and sophisticated defence procurement course of. Not all AoNs accorded essentially materialise right into a ultimate order.

The three capital acquisition proposals—two of the Army and one of many Navy—totals Rs 4,276 crore and can be procured beneath the Buy (Indian-IDDM) class.

“In view of the recent developments along the northern borders there is a need to focus on effective Air Defence (AD) weapon systems which are man portable and can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain and maritime domain,” the Defence Ministry mentioned in a press release.

The ministry added that procurement of VSHORAD, as a sturdy and shortly deployable system, will strengthen India’s air defence capabilities.

Last yr, there have been a number of cases the place China threatened violations alongside the LAC in japanese Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

While some cases concerned Chinese fighter jets, there have been cases of Chinese drones flying very near the LAC within the Northeast within the later half of final yr, prompting the IAF to scramble their fighter jets in response.

India has been in talks with Russia since 2018 to obtain the Igla-S air defence missiles at a price of $1.5 billion beneath the VSHORAD programme in a bid to interchange the Russian Igla-M methods which have been in use with the Army. However, with a powerful pitch for ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defence, there was little progress on this entrance within the final two years, with sources indicating that the deal has been placed on maintain for now.

Aside from the VSHORAD missile methods, the DAC additionally gave its approval to obtain the HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and related assist gear for his or her integration to the Army’s ALHs as a part of their weaponization course of.

“This missile is an essential part of weaponisation of ALH for countering enemy threats. Its induction will strengthen the offensive capability of the Indian Army,” the ministry mentioned.

The DAC additional gave its nod for procuring the Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Shivalik class of ships and the Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) with the Indian Navy.

With their induction, these ships would have enhanced functionality of finishing up maritime strike operations, interdicting and destroying enemy’s warships and service provider vessels, the defence ministry mentioned.