Indian DAC Clears Procurement Of Thermal Imaging Systems, Other Weapons For US$1 Billion

India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday cleared the procurement of weapons valued at over INR 6,900 Crore (US$ 1.01B), which includes Thermal Imaging (TI) Night Sights for the Rocket Launcher (RL) used by the Army and the Air Force.

The system will be bought from established Indian vendors in effort to boost indigenisation, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

"The TI sight for 84mm RL will be used by troops in operations to facilitate accurate and continuous engagement of moving and static enemy targets and destruction of field fortifications (bunkers) during hours of complete darkness," it said, as per PTI.

The Committee headed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also accorded approval for undertaking Design and Development of the Long Range Dual Band Infrared Imaging Search and Track System (IRST) for Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, a system which will be able to operate in day and night conditions and substantially enhance the capabilities of the aircraft.

“In the last eight months alone, the DAC has pursued modernisation of the armed forces with greater vigour and has accorded major thrust on indigenisation. Approvals for procurement of equipment valued at approx INR 43,844 crore (US$ 6.5B), have been accorded, of which, INR 32,253 crore (US$ 4.7B) would be Made-in-India, through the indigenous route," the statement added.