Rapid weapon upgrades: Defence ministry clears fast lane for procurement

New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) will meet today under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to expedite defence equipment acquisition timelines although the government aims to avoid letting defense capabilities suffer from bureaucratic methods.

Defence Acquisition Procedure

Three top officials described to reporters on condition of anonymity how the defence ministry plans to streamline the capital acquisition process in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP). The current version consists of two volumes with a total of 657 pages which the ministry desires to make more efficient to avoid acquisition delays. The extensive Defence Acquisition Procedure received its last modification in 2020.

Rafale-Maritime fighters

The government faces continuing delays in acquiring Rafale fighters along with Rafale-Maritime fighters (awaiting CCS approval), additional three Scorpene class submarines and Project 75 I submarines with air-independent propulsion capabilities and Predator Drones. The requirement placed by DAC forces both RFP preparation and Field Evaluation Trials together with Contract Negotiation Committee executions to finish the entire process within six months.

Designated Authority Committee

The Modi government instructs military forces to prepare Request for Proposals while the defense ministry is at the stage of Acceptance of Necessity approval for platform acquisition. Until recently the military forces initiated RFP processes only after receiving a capital acquisition's Acceptance of Necessity from the Designated Authority Committee.