The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has taken a significant step towards strengthening the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. On Thursday, the council approved Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for eight capital acquisition proposals with a total value exceeding ₹54,000 crore. This approval paves the way for the procurement of advanced weaponry, equipment, and technology aimed at enhancing India’s defence preparedness.
Faster and More Efficient Procurement Process
As part of the government’s efforts to modernize and reform the defence sector, the DAC has also introduced new guidelines to streamline the Capital Acquisition Process. These guidelines aim to reduce timelines at various stages of procurement, making the process faster, more effective, and efficient. By cutting delays in decision-making and execution, the reforms will ensure that critical defence equipment reaches the armed forces without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
Army’s T-90 Tank Upgrade: More Power for High-Altitude Operations
Among the approved proposals, one of the most notable is the upgrade of T-90 tanks by replacing their existing 1000 HP engines with more powerful 1350 HP engines. This enhancement is expected to provide greater battlefield mobility, particularly in high-altitude regions. The increased power-to-weight ratio will allow these tanks to navigate rugged terrain more efficiently, making them better suited for mountainous warfare scenarios, such as those encountered along India’s northern borders.
Indian Navy to Strengthen Anti-Submarine Warfare with Varunastra Torpedoes
The DAC has also granted Approval of Necessity for the procurement of Varunastra Torpedoes (Combat) for the Indian Navy. Varunastra is an indigenous, ship-launched, anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a premier defence research institution under DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).
Torpedoes are crucial for anti-submarine warfare, as they enable naval warships to detect, track, and neutralize enemy submarines before they pose a threat. With the induction of additional units of Varunastra, the Navy’s capability to counter submarine threats from adversaries will be significantly enhanced.
A Major Step Towards Self-Reliance in Defence
These acquisitions align with the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) in the defence sector. By upgrading existing equipment and procuring indigenously-developed weaponry, India is reducing its dependence on foreign defence imports and fostering the growth of the domestic defence manufacturing industry.
Conclusion
The approval of these high-value acquisitions marks another milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces. The T-90 engine upgrade will improve the Army’s combat capabilities in challenging terrains, while the Varunastra torpedoes will strengthen the Navy’s underwater warfare prowess. Additionally, the reforms in the Capital Acquisition Process will ensure that critical defence assets are procured swiftly and efficiently, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more self-sufficient Indian defence ecosystem.