Part of: Prelims and GS-III – Defence and security
Context The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the long-pending deal for the manufacture of 6.71 lakh AK-203 Russian assault rifles in India.
Key takeaways
The two countries had signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) in 2019.
A joint venture was later set up at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh for manufacturing the rifles.
Igla-S Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems may receive clearance soon.
A proposal for the procurement of the GSAT-7C communication satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has also been approved.
Advantage: Induction of the GSAT-7C satellite and ground hubs for Software Defined Radios (SDRs) will enhance the ability of the armed forces to communicate beyond Line of Sight (LoS).
What is the Defence Acquisition Council?
It is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry.
It decides new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.
Chairman: Minister of Defence
It was formed, after the Group of Ministers recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001, post Kargil War (1999).
