New Delhi: The Indian government is poised to greenlight several high-profile defence projects, including the construction of seven advanced frigates for the Indian Navy and the acquisition of 1,700 new tanks for the Indian Army. These decisions are expected to be made during a Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting scheduled for September 3, 2024, according to media reports.
The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will be attended by key officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, the three service chiefs, and the Defence Secretary. The DAC is anticipated to approve projects totaling over Rs 1.3 lakh crore, as reported by Defence Ministry sources.
A key item on the agenda is the Indian Navy’s Project 17 Bravo, which involves acquiring seven advanced stealth frigates. These frigates will represent the most advanced warships built in India to date, following the ongoing construction of Nilgiri-class frigates. The DAC is expected to authorize a tender worth approximately Rs 70,000 crore, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative and including both public and private sector shipyards.
The tender for Project 17 Bravo will likely be directed at Category A shipyards, such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Goa Shipyard Limited, and Larsen & Toubro. MDL and GRSE are currently engaged in building frigates under Project 17A (Nilgiri-class), with MDL constructing four and GRSE three.
Additionally, the DAC will review the Indian Army’s proposal to replace its aging fleet of Russian-origin T-72 tanks with 1,700 new Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs). This initiative, costing over Rs 50,000 crore, aims to modernize the Army’s armoured regiments.
The anticipated approvals mark a significant step in enhancing India’s defence capabilities and advancing the ‘Make in India’ programme.
