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The Indian Government soon plans to hold a special meeting with the Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) to clear proposals regarding the speeding up of the acquisition procedures related to military procurements. With the Indian Armed Forces lagging behind in terms of new acquisitions, the new acquisition process aims at shrinking the timeline for finalizing the contract and downsizing the levels of clearance.
Currently, the acquisition procedure is plagued by multiple levels of clearance and red-tape. The present procedure entails that each proposal must reach the headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) for consideration under the Services Capital Acquisition Plan (SCAP). Within this phase, the proposal keeps taking rounds of various committees, thereby delaying the procedure. After that, the IDS forwards the proposal for clearance to the DAC headed by the Defence Minister. If the proposal exceeds the ceiling amount, it is sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security.
The new process will circumvent the SCAP requirement and a special DAC will receive the proposal which will give an “Acceptance of Necessity”. Post this stage, the procurement process will have to be completed in a short time frame with the contract to be signed between 112 to 154 days of clearance. The delivery has to start within three months of signing the contract.
Following is the envisaged timeline after the Special DAC clearance:
• Issue of Request for Proposal: 10 days • Response from vendors: 30 days • Technical evaluations: 10 days • On-site evaluations and preparation of report: 15-30 days • Report approval in seven days and contract negotiations: 15-30 days • Financial approval: 10-15 days • Contract signing: 8-15 days
Each of the Armed Forces has a list of crucial acquisitions. The Indian Coast Guard is embarking on its $1.2 billion modernization plan which will involve the purchase of five off-shore patrol vessels, 25 in-shore vessels, 10 fast track patrol vessels, 20 interceptor boats, 12 Dornier aircraft, 14 twin engine helicopters and 16 light helicopters. The Indian Coast Guards is also proposing to buy 38 new radars.
The Indian Navy is slated to acquire more Aerostat radars, interceptor boats and UAVs for reconnaissance. The Indian Air Force requires low-level transportable radars, air defence missile systems, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM) and artillery systems. The Indian Army requires third-generation night-vision devices, assault rifles, grenades, surveillance devices and state-of-art bullet-proof jackets.
The Government has decided the fast-track procedure so that each of the forces can give proposals independently to the Special DAC. The Indian Armed Forces have a poor track record in spending its capital acquisition funds and the new procedure will give a thrust to procurements and upgradation plans.
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