New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to Project 17 Bravo of the Indian Navy, under which seven new state-of-the-art Frigates would be built. And even though the project was not mentioned in the press release, sources confirmed it has been sanctioned.
The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore Tuesday.
The Project 17 Bravo stealth frigates are a follow-on of Nilgiri class frigates, also known as Project-17A class frigates, currently being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
Even for the new project, MDL and GRSE are likely to be in fray.
Four of the Project-17A class frigates are being built by MDL in Mumbai and three by GRSE in Kolkata. Mahendragiri, the seventh Stealth Frigate of Project 17A being built at MDL, was launched last year in September.
Project 17A are a follow-on of Project 17 Shivalik class frigates.
The new order will only boost the Navy’s capabilities. This will help the Indian Navy gain a stronger hold over the Indian Ocean Region and pose a strong deterrence against the adversarial ships.
The new frigates will have advanced capabilities such as a weapon-sensor package. Generally, there are no major design changes in follow-on orders for ships. However, it is equipped with the latest technology. The new frigates will be the most advanced to be constructed in India.
Apart from the Project 17 Bravo, the DAC also gave an approval for modernisation of the tank fleet of the Indian Army and cleared the proposal for procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs). The AoN was also accorded for procurement of Air Defence Fire Control Radars, which will detect & track aerial targets and provide firing solution.
Three AoNs have been accorded to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard.
The acquisition of Dornier-228 aircraft, Next Generation Fast Patrol Vessels, and Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels with enhanced technology and long-range capabilities will strengthen the Indian Coast Guard’s ability to conduct surveillance, patrol in maritime zones, search and rescue missions, and disaster relief operations, even in challenging weather conditions.