DAC nod to buy 97 Tejas jets, 156 combat helicopters

The DAC is among the top bodies for clearing major capital acquisitions for defence. The AoN is only the first step in the long defence procurement process; it does not necessarily lead to a final order.

Both the orders were already in the pipeline. While addressing the media in October, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari had said the contract for the additional 97 Tejas Mk 1A jets is expected to be signed by the end of the year. The fighter jets will be an addition to the 83 jets ordered for the IAF in February 2021.

The IAF and the Army had raised a squadron each of the indigenous LCH, which was named Prachand. Of the 156 additional LCH to be procured, 90 are likely to be for the Army and 66 for the IAF.

The DAC also cleared the proposal to upgrade part of its Su-30 MKI fighter jets indigenously from HAL.

As per the ministry, 98% of the total AoN amount will be sourced from domestic industries.

Other capital procurements, which were granted AoN by the DAC, included two types of anti-tank munitions — Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type – 2 and Type-3.

Additionally, to replace the Indian Field Gun, which has completed its service life, the DAC cleared procurement of indigenous Towed Gun System (TGS), which is set to become the mainstay of the Indian artillery.

Procurement of 155 mm nubless projectiles for use in 155 mm artillery guns of the Army to enhance their potency were also cleared by the DAC. Moreover, AoNs for procurement and integration of Automatic Target Tracker and Digital Basaltic Computer for T-90 tanks of the Army, Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles for the Navy were granted by the DAC.