DAC Boosts 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat': Approves ₹79,000 Crore for Defence Modernisation
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Defence (Key procurement bodies like DAC; Indigenously developed platforms like Nag Missile, ALWT; Types of military hardware like LPDs, ELINT systems); Science & Technology.
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): "Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation."
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy, Security & S&T): "Defence"; "Indigenization of technology and developing new technology"; "Security challenges and their management in border areas"; "Awareness in the fields of Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights." (The 'Aatmanirbhar' policy in defence is a core topic).
Key Highlights from the News
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved proposals for the procurement of weapons worth approximately ₹79,000 crore.
The aim is to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
This move emphasizes the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' policy.
For the Army: It will receive Nag missile system (NAMIS) Mk-II capable of destroying tanks, ground-based mobile ELINT System (GBMES) to intercept enemy signals, and high-mobility vehicles (HMVs) for transporting goods in difficult terrain.
For the Navy: It will receive landing platform docks (LPDs) capable of transporting troops and tanks to distant shores, and DRDO indigenously developed advanced lightweight torpedoes (ALWTs) to destroy submarines.
For the Air Force: Approval was given for long-range target saturation/destruction system (CLRTS/DS) capable of accurately destroying long-range targets.
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