Defence News: India’s apex defence purchase body – the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the purchase of weapons and equipment, including HAL’s indigenously developed basic jet trainer, among other equipments worth Rs 8,722 crores from domestic defence industry.
The DAC meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday accorded approval to the acquisition of 106 HTT-40 basic trainers manufactured by state owned aircraft major – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after the operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in Indian Air Force.
The government also approved procurement of an upgraded version of Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) for Indian Navy. The gun manufactured by public sector BHEL will be fitted as the main gun onboard the Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) warships.
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The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles and Fast Attack Crafts (FACs), and increase the maximum engagement range.
In view of the availability of requisite capability for indigenous development of the ammunition, both in terms of ‘Manufacturing’ and ‘Technology’, the DAC approved procurement of 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot) ammunition for Indian Army as a ‘Design and Development Case’.
The ammunition will have 70 per cent indigenous content.
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The Defence Acquisition Council also gave approvals that are likely to speed up the procurement of AK-203 assault rifles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) upgrades.
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