DAC clears proposals worth over ₹54,000 crore including T-90 engines, Varunastra torpedoes and AEW&C systems
The Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Rajnath Singh accorded Acceptance of Necessity to eight capital acquisition proposals worth over ₹54,000 crore on 20 March 2025.
Summary
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity to eight capital acquisition proposals worth over ₹54,000 crore on 20 March 2025. For the Army, it cleared 1350 HP engines to replace the 1000 HP engines of T-90 tanks, improving mobility at high altitude. For the Navy, it cleared more Varunastra ship-launched anti-submarine torpedoes, developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory. For the Air Force, it cleared Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft systems. Marking 2025 as the 'Year of Reforms', the DAC also approved guidelines to cut timelines in the capital acquisition process.
Key facts
- Date
- 20 March 2025
- Chair
- Rajnath Singh
- Value
- Over ₹54,000 crore, 8 proposals
- Army
- 1350 HP engines for T-90 tanks
- Navy
- Varunastra torpedoes (NSTL)
- Air Force
- AEW&C aircraft systems
- Reform
- Guidelines to cut acquisition timelines
Practice MCQs 4 questions
What was the total value of the capital acquisition proposals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Over ₹54,000 crore
The DAC accorded AoN to eight proposals amounting to over ₹54,000 crore.
The DAC on 20 March 2025 approved upgrading the engines of T-90 tanks from 1000 HP to:
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Correct answer: B — 1350 HP
AoN was accorded for 1350 HP engines to upgrade the present 1000 HP engines of T-90 tanks.
Which aircraft systems did the DAC clear for the Indian Air Force on 20 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems
For the IAF, the DAC accorded AoN for Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft systems.
Consider the following statements about the DAC decisions of 20 March 2025: 1. Varunastra, cleared for the Navy, is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory. 2. The engine upgrade cleared for the Army was for Arjun main battle tanks. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Varunastra is an indigenously developed ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo from NSTL. The 1350 HP engine upgrade was for T-90 tanks, not Arjun.