Overhaul of Sukhois, software defined radios, new helicopters among Rs 1.1 lakh cr projects cleared
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister, cleared capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 1.10 lakh crore
The largest single item was Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the overhaul of 40 Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force
AoN was also granted for roughly 2,500 Software Defined Radios (SDRs) for secure, network-centric communication among fighters, helicopters, transport aircraft, and ground stations
Other approvals covered Advanced Light Helicopters, a Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammer, CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, self-propelled mine layers, Arudhra radars for the Navy, and Marine Gas Turbines for warship propulsion
All clearances were granted at the AoN stage — the first, in-principle step of the capital procurement process, not a final contract
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)
The DAC is the apex body in the Ministry of Defence for deciding new policies on defence procurement and capital acquisitions for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard. It was constituted in 2001, following the Group of Ministers' report on reforming the national security system after the Kargil Review Committee. AoN is the first formal step in the capital acquisition process under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: it signals that the government accepts the operational necessity for a piece of equipment, but does not itself commit funds or finalise a contract — the process still proceeds through Request for Proposal (RFP), technical evaluation, trials, price negotiation, and Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval for high-value deals.
The Rs 1.1 lakh crore figure represents projects at the AoN (in-principle approval) stage — an important prelims distinction, since news reports often conflate "cleared by DAC" with "contract signed."
Overhaul vs Upgrade — Aircraft Life-Cycle Sustainment
An "overhaul" restores an aircraft's existing systems and airframe to original specification and extends service life, without adding new capability — distinct from an "upgrade," which adds new sensors, weapons, or avionics capability. The Su-30 MKI is India's frontline multirole air-superiority fighter, license-manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under a Russian design (Sukhoi), inducted into the IAF from 2002 onward.
Key Details
- Su-30 MKI: twin-engine, multirole fighter; over 260 in IAF service, forming the backbone of India's fighter fleet
- HAL manufactures the Su-30 MKI at Nashik under transfer-of-technology from Russia
- A separate, distinct programme (Su-30 MKI "Super Sukhoi" upgrade) adds new AESA radar and long-range weapons — not to be confused with a routine overhaul
- Software Defined Radios (SDRs) enable frequency-agile, encrypted, network-centric communication — a key building block of "network-centric warfare," where sensors, shooters, and command nodes share a common data network
The article explicitly distinguishes the Su-30 MKI overhaul (life extension, no new capability) from an upgrade — a distinction UPSC prelims frequently tests via "which of the following statements is correct" formats on defence procurement terminology.
- Total value of projects cleared: approximately Rs 1.10 lakh crore
- Su-30 MKI aircraft to be overhauled: 40
- Software Defined Radios approved: approximately 2,500 units
- DAC constituted: 2001, in the wake of the Kargil Review Committee recommendations
- Procurement stage of these clearances: Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) — first stage, not final contract
- DAC is chaired by the Defence Minister; includes the CDS and the three Service Chiefs