Purchase of HAL's Light Utility Helicopter is part of the procurement package

Besides clearing the proposal to purchase 12 helicopters, the DAC approved procurement of Lynx U2 naval gunfire control system from Bharat Electronics Limited that will enhance the tracking and engagement capabilities of naval warships, the ministry’s statement said

The Defence Ministry on Tuesday approved the procurement of arms and military equipment worth Rs 7,965 crore, including 12 light utility helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, according to an official statement.

The procurement proposals were approved at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the ministry’s highest decision-making body on the matter. 

The DAC on Tuesday also approved “mid-life upgradation of Dornier aircraft” by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to increase the naval capacity of maritime reconnaissance and coastal surveillance, it mentioned.

“As a further impetus to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), a global procurement case of naval guns has been foreclosed with these guns’ quantity added to the upgraded super rapid gun mount (SRGM) being manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL),” it noted.

BHEL Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM)
Government sources said these SRGMs were earlier proposed to be procured from a foreign vendor but now the contract will be given to BHEL to promote Make in India, resulting in savings of approximately Rs 3,000 crore.

The defence ministry’s statement said these SRGMs provide niche capabilities of engaging fast manoeuvring targets using guided munitions and range extensions and are to be fitted on the warships of the Indian Navy.

“The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in its meeting of November 2, 2021, held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity for capital acquisition proposals for modernisation and operational needs of the armed forces amounting to Rs 7,965 crore,” it noted.

All these proposals are under ‘Make in India’ with a focus on design, development and manufacturing in the country, according to the statement.

The military equipment are being procured at a time the Indian armed forces are locked in a bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh.