DAC clears procurement of 111 utility helicopters for Navy

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Saturday approved defence procurement proposals worth around Rs 46,000 crore, including a major plan to acquire 111 utility helicopters for the Indian Navy.

The Navy helicopter project, estimated to cost more than Rs 21,000 crore, will be the first major acquisition to be undertaken under the government's Strategic Partnership (SP) Model.

The Defence Ministry said the decision is expected to give a significant boost to the 'Make in India' programme by encouraging domestic production and greater participation of Indian private companies in defence manufacturing.

Under the SP Model, an Indian strategic partner will collaborate with a foreign original equipment manufacturer to manufacture major defence platforms in India. The arrangement is also intended to facilitate the transfer of specialised technologies and the creation of manufacturing facilities within the country.

According to the ministry, the long-term objective is to develop India into a major defence manufacturing hub, reduce dependence on imports and build a strong industrial and research ecosystem capable of meeting the future requirements of the armed forces.

The ministry said the helicopter contract, once finalised, could also create opportunities for private-sector companies and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to become part of a wider aviation manufacturing ecosystem.

Among the other proposals approved by the DAC is the acquisition of 150 indigenously designed and developed 155 mm advanced towed artillery gun systems for the Indian Army. The project has an estimated value of around Rs 3,364.78 crore.

The artillery systems have been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and will be manufactured by production agencies nominated by the organisation. They are expected to become an important component of the Army's artillery capability in the coming years.

The DAC also cleared the procurement of 24 Multi Role Helicopters (MRH) equipped for anti-submarine operations. These helicopters are intended for deployment aboard frontline naval platforms, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and corvettes.

The Defence Ministry said the helicopters would help address an existing capability gap in the Navy's anti-submarine warfare and maritime operations.

In another important decision, the council approved the acquisition of 14 Vertically Launched Short Range Missile Systems. Ten of these systems will be indigenously developed.

The missile systems are designed to strengthen the self-defence capabilities of Indian Navy warships, particularly against incoming anti-ship missiles.

Taken together, the approvals reflect the government's effort to combine modernisation of the armed forces with greater domestic defence production, technology development and private-sector participation.