Next-Gen Defence Acquisition Procedure to Factor in Drones, New Tech

The defence ministry’s new, streamlined DAP or Defence Acquisition Procedure to ensure that the armed forces get weapon systems more easily is expected to be ready by the end of the year.After the draft is ready, it will be circulated among all stakeholders and be in the public domain. This will to all parties involved and also, look at minor tweaks in case there are any good ideas.Speaking at a Public Affairs Forum of India function today, senior defence ministry official Apurva Chandra, said that the earlier DAP, which he worked on is due for a revamp,” keeping in mind the need for “jointness,” the national aspiration of aatmanirbharta or self reliance and recent technological innovations.India, a heavy importer, is moving towards purchase

of weapons from local manufacturers and for every import, there should be a Made in India element, is the general guideline. With the armed forces working more closely, purchases can be modified accordingly.Recent wars, like the one between Russia and Ukraine, have shown the importance of new technologies and drones, for instance, have been used to telling effect for the first time apart from the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. These issues will be kept in mind.Chandra, who advises defence minister Rajnath Singh, spoke of reducing the “Procurement cycle,” meaning that the time taken to buy them should come down. Besides, he said, there is still a reliance on foreign vendors for some components and critical technologies, adding that the Defence Research and Development Organisation was working on them. But the new DAP is expected to encourage Indian defence equipment manufacturers, including startups, to make important technological breakthroughs.