NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPT 28
The government’s new Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) unveiled on Monday has five new chapters on issues like a separate procurement category called “leasing”, procurement of information and communication technology (ICT) systems and post-contract management.
At 11 am tomorrow, I would be attending the launch of the Defence India Startup Challenge and ‘iDEX4Fauji’ initiative.
Eleven problem statements have been identified and challenge would given to innovators, startups, MSMEs alike, for resolution. #DISC4 @India_iDEX @DefProdnIndia pic.twitter.com/wnu8uxCagK
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) September 28, 2020
The new chapters in the DAP also include topics like acquisition of systems “designed and developed” by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Ordnance Factory Board and Defence Public Sector Undertakings as well as simplified capital expenditure procedure.
Apurva Chandra, Director General – Acquisition, Ministry of Defence, told reporters at a press briefing that the procedure on leasing defence equipment is in the new DAP as it may be cheaper in the long run to lease.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh lays foundation stone for construction of Underpasses to join IMA Dehradun campuses https://t.co/PmWB83dIaa pic.twitter.com/9XKwE3O10b
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) September 28, 2020
“If we purchase the equipment, we have to create a lot of infrastructure for its upkeep,” he added. “When we lease equipment, we also benefit as the interest rates abroad are quite low.”
In March this year, the first draft of the DAP had introduced “leasing” as one of the categories to get defence equipment at affordable rates. The second draft has a whole chapter on it explaining the terms, conditions and procedure for procurement under the “leasing” method.
“The new chapter on procuring ICT systems and products is to harness the expertise India has in the software sector,” he stated.
Chandra said in the chapter related to ICT systems, issues like “interoperability and built-in upgradability” have also been included.
He said the chapter on post-contract management is about formalising procedures related to issues like damages and inspections that arise after the procurement contract is signed.
In the draft DAP issued on July 28, it was mentioned that the chapter on the acquisition of systems from the DRDO, the OFB and DPSUs has been inducted as this process “will help not only in translating the existing indigenous technological capability into systems but also in implementing ”Make in India” with indigenous technology through Indian industry”.
The DAP is issued to ensure timely procurement of best military equipment and platforms for the armed forces through optimum utilisation of budgetary resources.
Moreover, the DAP’s focus is also on promoting self-reliance in defence equipment production, with an ultimate aim to develop India as a global defence manufacturing hub.
The DAP remains in place for a period of five years. The last DAP was issued in 2016.
According to the Department of Defence Production, India aims to export defence products worth Rs 15,000 crore in 2020-21. Between April 1 and July 23, India has been able to export defence equipment and platforms worth Rs 1,892 crore, it said on its website.
In 2019-20 and 2018-19, India’s defence exports stood at Rs 9,115 crore and Rs 8,320 crore, respectively, the department noted.
#GunnersDay celebrations at #WesternCommand. To commemorate the occasion, Maj Gen Harinder Singh, officiating MG Artillery, Western Comd laid wreath at the #VeerSmriti at Chandimandir Mil Stn & paid homage to brave soldiers.. “SARVATRA IZZAT-O-IQBAL”@SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/gLqo2eAW2C
— PRO Defence Jammu (@prodefencejammu) September 28, 2020
Defence Ministry approves acquisition of military hardware worth Rs 2,290 crore
The defence ministry on Monday approved the procurement of arms and military equipment worth Rs 2,290 crore, including around 72,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles from the United States, officials said.
The procurement proposals were approved at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the defence ministry’s highest decision-making body on procurement.
Besides clearing the proposal to buy the rifles, the other notable acquisitions approved by the DAC include procurement of smart anti-airfield weapon (SAAW) systems for the Navy and the Indian Air Force at an approximate cost of Rs 970, the officials said.
“The DAC headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accorded approval for various arms and equipment worth Rs 2,290 crore,” the defence ministry said.
The cost of procurement of the Sig Sauer assault rifles for the frontline troops of the Indian Army will be Rs 780 crore, officials said.
They said the DAC also accorded approval for procurement of Static HF Tans-receiver sets under the buy Indian category at a cost of Rs 540 crore. The HF radio sets will enable seamless communication for the field units of the Army and the Air Force.
The military equipment is being procured at a time Indian Army is locked in a bitter border row with China in eastern Ladakh.
Regiment of Artillery commemorates 193rd Gunners Day at Western Command
https://twitter.com/DefencePRO_Guj/status/1310572208700358656?s=20
The Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army celebrated the 193rd Gunners Day on Monday at the Chandimandir military station, a Defence spokesperson said here.
Gunners Day marks the raising of the Five (Bombay) Mountain Battery on September 28, 1827.
Maj Gen Harinder Singh, officiating major general of Artillery, Western Command, laid a wreath at the Veer Smriti on the military station premises and paid homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives serving the country, the official said.
The Regiment of Artillery continues its quest for excellence and lives up to its motto “Sarvatra Izzat-o-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory)”, he added.
