Tri-services to get systems, platforms for ₹79,000 cr
DAC Approvals
Total value: ~₹79,000 crore
Objective: Enhance lethality, mobility, and intelligence across Army, Navy, and Air Force.
1. Indian Army
Key Approvals:
Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS):
Indigenously developed anti-tank missile system.
Capable of destroying armoured vehicles, bunkers, and fortified enemy positions.
Mounted on a tracked platform for mobility.
Ground-Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES):
Provides electronic intelligence (ELINT) on enemy radar and communication emitters.
Enables 24×7 situational awareness and electronic warfare capability.
High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) with material handling cranes:
Improve logistics and transport of heavy equipment in rugged terrains.
2. Indian Navy
Key Approvals:
Landing Platform Docks (LPDs):
Large amphibious warfare ships.
Used for troop and equipment transport, disaster relief (HADR), and joint operations.
Boosts India’s power projection and sea-based humanitarian capacity.
Advanced Light Weight Torpedo (ALWT):
Developed by DRDO’s Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.
Can engage conventional, nuclear, and midget submarines.
30 mm Naval Surface Guns & Smart Ammunition (76 mm SRGM):
Enhances close-in defence capability of naval vessels.
Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track Systems (EO-IRST):
Improves target detection and tracking of aerial threats.
3. Indian Air Force (IAF)
Key Approval:
Collaborative Long-Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS):
Autonomous take-off, navigation, target detection, and payload delivery.
Enhances long-range precision engagement capability.
Reflects focus on AI-driven and autonomous warfare systems.
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
Chairperson: Defence Minister (Rajnath Singh)
Established: 2001 (following Group of Ministers’ recommendations post-Kargil Review Committee)
Function: Apex body for capital acquisition in the Ministry of Defence.
Key Role:
Grants Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) — first step before procurement.
Ensures acquisitions align with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
Strategic Significance
Reinforces Aatmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous systems.
Strengthens India’s multi-domain deterrence and joint operations capability.
Focuses on network-centric warfare, surveillance, and mobility.
Reduces dependence on foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
System/Equipment | Service | Primary Function |
a. Ground-Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES) | Indian Navy | Anti-submarine warfare |
b. Advanced Light Weight Torpedo (ALWT) | Indian Army | Destroying armoured vehicles |
c. Collaborative Long-Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) | Indian Air Force | Precision strike capability |
d. NAMIS (Tracked) Mk-II | Indian Navy | Coastal surveillance |
(a) a only
(b) c only
(c) a and c only
(d) b and d only
✅ Answer: (b)
Explanation:
GBMES — Army’s electronic intelligence system, not Navy.
ALWT — Naval weapon for submarine engagement.
CLRTS/DS — IAF’s long-range precision system.
NAMIS — Army’s anti-armour missile system.
Q. Which of the following correctly describes the Landing Platform Dock (LPD) approved for the Indian Navy?
(a) It is a stealth submarine designed for deep-sea warfare.
(b) It is a logistics ship meant only for cargo transport.
(c) It is an amphibious warfare ship enabling joint operations and disaster relief missions.
(d) It is a floating radar platform for maritime surveillance.
✅ Answer: (c)
Explanation: The LPD enhances amphibious assault, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), and joint-service operational capabilities.
Q. Consider the following statements about the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):
It is the highest decision-making body in the Ministry of Defence for capital acquisitions.
It is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
It grants the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for all major defence procurement proposals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (b)
Explanation: The DAC is chaired by the Defence Minister, not the Prime Minister. It grants AoN — the first step for capital acquisitions under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).