DAC OK’s Rs 5,500-crore plans for Defence buys

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday approved two proposals worth over Rs 5,500 crores for procurement of high power radars for the IAF to shore up air defence network in the country and Air Cushion Vehicles for the Coast Guard and the Army. Both the procurements will be through Indian manufacturers in an effort to boost indigenisation and self-reliance.

Giving details of the DAC meeting chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here, officials said later the radar project includes procurement of 12 such systems.  The radars will provide long range medium and high altitude radar cover with the capability to detect and track high speed targets following parabolic trajectories. Technologically superior, the radars will have the capability to scan 360o without mechanical rotation of antenna and will operate on 24 x 7 with minimal maintenance requirement.

The DAC, the apex body for approving procurements, also gave the nod for procurement of Air Cushion Vehicles for the Coast Guard and Army from Indian shipyard. These vessels will offer great advantage over conventional boats and crafts with their ability to travel at very high speeds over shallow water, sand banks, mud flats and swamps which are non-navigable by boats and small crafts due to draught restrictions and uncharted depths.

These craft will enhance capability and prove useful for amphibious and riverine operations, especially where there is a requirement to move men and material from one island to another island across rivers and creeks.