(CNBC)
In a major boost for the country’s armed forces, the Defence Acquisition Council, which met under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, approved the procurement of Rs 8,357 crore worth of military platforms and hardware, including air defence fire control radar and GSAT-7B satellite. The procurement proposals were accorded “Acceptance of Necessity”, the ministry said in a statement. The approved proposals included “procurement of night sight (image intensifier), light vehicles GS 4X4, air defence fire control radar (light) and GSAT-7B satellite,” it mentioned. Acquisition of these equipment and systems will enhance operational preparedness of armed forces by providing better visibility, enhanced mobility, improved communication and increased capability of detecting enemy aircraft, it stated.
Singh said on Twitter that the DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity for procurement of 14 iDEX products within 30 months of contract for prototype development. “Simplified iDEX procurement has been introduced. AON to Procurement timelines reduced from 2+ years to 5 months, keeping in line with the innovation ecosystem!” the minister added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the iDEX initiative in April 2018 to foster innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace.
