Quotation of Air Defeance weapons worth ₹4,276 cr cleared

DAC (defence acquisition council), which is India’s apex procurement body, accorded its acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the fire-and-forget Helina missiles, launchers & associated support equipment

India on Tuesday set the ball rolling for buying indigenous helicopter-launched anti-tank guided missiles, air defence weapons and equipping more of its warships with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, with the defence acquisition council (DAC) – in its first meeting in the new year – clearing army and navy proposals worth ₹4,276 crore, officials familiar the development said.

The anti-tank guided missile, Helina, will be integrated with the advanced light helicopter (ALH) and can strike targets up to seven km away, the officials said.

DAC, which is India’s apex procurement body, accorded its acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the fire-and-forget Helina missiles, launchers and associated support equipment, the defence ministry said.

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“This missile is an essential part of weaponisation of ALH for countering enemy threat. Its induction will strengthen the offensive capability of Indian Army,” it said in a statement.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh chaired the DAC.

Under India’s defence procurement rules, AoN by the council is the first step towards buying military hardware.

Helicopter launched anti-tank guided missiles figure on the long list of weapons that the government has put under an import ban to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector.