DEFENCE ACQUISITION COUNCIL APPROVALS

 Source: Hindu

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Context

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) reviewed and approved amendments to various procurement deals.
• Key approvals included amendments to the deal for MQ-9B UAVs from the US, procurement of Advanced Land Navigation Systems for the Army, and 22 Interceptor Boats for the Coast Guard.

Details

MQ-9B UAV Deal Amendments

Must read: MQ-9B

• MQ-9B UAVs: The DAC approved amendments related to the indigenous content of the deal for 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomics, USA.
  • • UAVs Distribution: 15 Sea Guardians for the Navy and 16 Sky Guardians (eight each for the Army and Air Force).
    • Cost: Estimated at $3.99 billion.
    • MRO Facility: General Atomics to establish a Global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India, contributing to offset obligations​.

Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS)

• Procurement Approval: DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS) Mk-II for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) of the Army.
  • • Features:
      • Compatible with Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS, NavIC), GPS, and GLONASS.
      • Spoof-proof with high levels of encryption.
      • Offers high accuracy with compatibility for defence series maps.
    • Supplier: Bharat Electronics Limited, Chennai.
    • Category: Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured - IDDM)​ ​.

Interceptor Boats for Coast Guard

Must read: Coast Guard

• Approval: AoN for procurement of 22 Interceptor Boats.
  • • Capabilities: Equipped with state-of-the-art systems for quick interception and shallow water operations.
    • Uses: Coastal surveillance, patrolling, search and rescue operations, and medical evacuation.
    • Significance: Enhances coastal security and operational readiness of the Coast Guard​.

Refit of INS Vikramaditya

Must read: INS Vikramaditya

• Scheduled Refit: DAC approved the proposal for the scheduled refit of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
  • • Timeline: Later this year.
    • Purpose: To ensure the carrier remains operationally ready and capable of meeting strategic needs​.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is a crucial body within the Indian Ministry of Defence, responsible for approving major acquisitions and ensuring that the procurement processes for the Indian Armed Forces align with national strategic objectives and the goal of achieving self-reliance in defence production.
• Established in 2001, the DAC is chaired by the Defence Minister and includes key officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces.

Functions and Responsibilities

The DAC's primary functions include:

• Formulating policies for acquisitions.
• Granting Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement proposals.
• Ensuring the procurement process is efficient, transparent, and cost-effective.
• Promoting indigenous production of defence equipment to reduce dependency on foreign vendors.

Recent Initiatives and Approvals

• Capital Acquisition Proposals:
  • • February 2024: Approved proposals worth INR 84,560 crore for various military equipment, including anti-tank mines, air defence radar systems, heavyweight torpedoes, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft to enhance the capabilities of the Navy and Coast Guard​.
    • November 2023: Approved capital acquisition proposals amounting to INR 2.23 lakh crore, with 98% of the procurement from domestic industries. This includes Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A, and Towed Gun Systems​.
• Indigenization and Innovation:
  • • The DAC has emphasized procuring equipment under the "Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)" category to boost domestic defence manufacturing.
    • Amendments in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 were approved to facilitate procurement from start-ups and MSMEs under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Technology Development Fund (TDF) schemes​.
• Enhancing Surveillance and Combat Capabilities:
  • • Procurement of Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft for improved maritime surveillance.
    • Acquisition of Active Towed Array Sonar systems for long-range detection of adversary submarines and heavy-weight torpedoes for Kalvari Class submarines.
    • Approval for Air Defence Tactical Control Radar to detect and track low-flying targets, enhancing air defence capabilities​.
• Sustainable and Strategic Support:
  • • Approval for the sustainment support and repair replenishment for MH60R aircraft through a Foreign Military Sale route with the US Government​.

About ALNS

• The Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS) Mk-II, recently approved for procurement by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), is designed to enhance the navigational capabilities of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) of the Indian Army.
• This system will be sourced from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Chennai under the Buy [Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)] category, aligning with India's push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliant India​.

Key Features of ALNS Mk-II:

• Compatibility:
  • • Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS/NavIC): This allows the system to operate using India's own satellite navigation system.
    • Global Positioning System (GPS)and Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS): Ensures global compatibility and reliability.
• High Accuracy:
  • • Defence Series Maps: The system's compatibility with these maps ensures very high accuracy in navigational applications for AFVs.
• Security:

Spoof-Proof and Encrypted: High levels of encryption ensure that the system is resistant to spoofing and other forms of interference, which is critical for military operations​​.

Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is a critical step in the procurement process for defense acquisitions in India. It signifies the formal approval by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) that a particular procurement proposal is necessary and aligns with the strategic and operational needs of the armed forces. Process Proposal Submission: The relevant branch of the armed forces submits a proposal outlining the need for a specific equipment or system. Review and Approval: The DAC reviews the proposal to ensure it meets strategic objectives and operational requirements. Upon approval, AoN is granted. Detailed Planning: Post AoN, the detailed specifications, budget, and procurement strategy are formulated. Tendering and Acquisition: The approved proposal then moves forward to the tendering process, where suppliers are invited to bid, leading eventually to the acquisition.

Defence Related Bodies in India 

Name	Description	Functions	Established	Headquarters
Ministry of Defence (MoD)	The apex body for defence management in India.	Formulates and executes defence policies, manages defence budget, oversees the armed forces, and handles defence diplomacy.	1947	New Delhi
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)	Highest decision-making body for defence procurement.	Approves major defence acquisitions, ensures procurement efficiency and transparency, and promotes indigenous production.	2001	New Delhi
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)	Premier R&D organization.	Develops defence technologies and systems, conducts scientific research, and supports the armed forces with cutting-edge technology.	1958	New Delhi
Indian Army	The land warfare branch of the Indian Armed Forces.	Protects the nation's borders, conducts land-based military operations, and ensures internal security.	1895	New Delhi
Indian Navy	The naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces.	Secures maritime borders, conducts naval operations, and supports national interests on the high seas.	1612 (modern: 1947)	New Delhi
Indian Air Force (IAF)	The air warfare branch of the Indian Armed Forces.	Provides air defence, conducts aerial warfare, and supports ground troops with air support and reconnaissance.	1932	New Delhi
Indian Coast Guard (ICG)	Maritime security and search & rescue service.	Protects India's maritime interests, enforces maritime law, and conducts search and rescue operations.	1977	New Delhi
Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)	Produces arms, ammunition, and military equipment.	Manufactures defence equipment, supplies arms and ammunition to the armed forces, and supports defence production capabilities.	1775	Kolkata
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)	A government-owned aerospace and defence company.	Manufactures advanced electronic products for the defence sector, including radars, communication systems, and electronic warfare equipment.	1954	Bangalore
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)	A government-owned aerospace and defence company.	Designs, manufactures, and assembles aircraft, helicopters, and related systems for the Indian Armed Forces.	1940 (HAL: 1964)	Bangalore
Defence Finance Division	Manages financial aspects of defence.	Controls defence budget, financial planning, and accounting for defence expenditures.	-	New Delhi
National Cadet Corps (NCC)	Youth development organization under the Ministry of Defence.	Trains young individuals in military disciplines, promotes discipline and patriotism, and prepares youth for careers in the armed forces.	1948	New Delhi
Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE)	Manages defence land and cantonment areas.	Oversees the administration of cantonments, defence lands, and provides civic services to residents of cantonments.	1926	New Delhi
Army Welfare Education Society (AWES)	Provides educational facilities to children of army personnel.	Manages schools and professional colleges for the wards of Indian Army personnel, ensuring quality education and professional development.	1983	New Delhi
Canteen Stores Department (CSD)	Provides consumer goods to military personnel at subsidized rates.	Operates canteens across India, offering a variety of products to serving and retired defence personnel and their families.	1948	Mumbai
National Defence College (NDC)	Premier institute for training senior defence and civil service officers.	Conducts courses in national security and strategic studies for senior officers of the armed forces and civil services, enhancing strategic leadership.	1960	New Delhi
College of Defence Management (CDM)	Provides management education to defence personnel.	Offers courses in defence management, logistics, and resource management to officers of the Indian Armed Forces and allied countries.	1970	Secunderabad

Sources:Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION Q: Consider the following statements about the Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS): The ALNS MK-II system is compatible with the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS). The system operates in three distinct modes: Inertial Mode, Hybrid Mode, and GPS Mode. The ALNS MK-II system is designed for aerial vehicles only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3 Answer: a