The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in India is set to finalize multi-billion deals for the acquisition of advanced armed drones from the USA and advanced submarines under Project-75I. This move signifies a significant boost in India’s defence procurement process, with primary focus on India-USA drone deals and the Project-75I, which aligns with the country’s shift towards modernizing its military capabilities.
India – USA Drone Deals: A Closer Look
In recent years, India has shown an interest in procuring 30 armed drones, 10 for each service sector, from the USA. Despite repeated delays in the procurement process over the last few years, significant progress has been made recently. The USA has given an in-principle approval for the sale of these drones to India during the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue.
These High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones possess a high utility for the Navy due to their superior surveillance capabilities, though their use by the Army and Air Force has been debated due to the high costs involved. The standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh in May 2020 highlighted the strategic need for continuous border surveillance, emphasizing the importance of long endurance drones. Furthermore, the Navy has already inducted two MQ-9B Sea Guardian unarmed drones purchased from the USA.
Project-75I: Advanced Submarine Procurement
The Project 75I-class submarine is the upgrade to the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarines for the Indian Navy. This procurement project is managed through the Strategic Partnership (SP) model of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). This model aims to identify Indian private companies to partner with shortlisted foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for manufacturing major military platforms.
The SP model promotes an active role for Indian industry in defence manufacturing and builds a domestic defence industrial ecosystem. The Project-75I is part of a 30-year plan for indigenous submarine construction approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 1999. The main objective behind this initiative is to streamline the submarine acquisition process and create two submarine production lines where six submarines would be constructed on each.
About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
The DAC is the top decision-making body in the Defence Ministry of India. It is responsible for formulating new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard. The Defence Minister chairs the council. The establishment of DAC occurred post the Kargil War (1999), following the Group of Ministers recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001.
Ultimately, these procurements underline India’s ongoing efforts to bolster its defense capabilities, both in terms of modern equipment and strategic collaborations. By integrating cutting-edge technology like advanced armed drones and submarines, India aims to reinforce its preparedness for potential security threats while simultaneously boosting its domestic defence industry.
