Why in News?

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri accorded approval for the procurement of equipment for the Defence Forces valued at over Rs 9,100 crores.

Upgraded Akash Missile Systems:

•  Pursuing the goal of indigenization and self-reliance, the DAC approved procurement of two Regiments of Akash Missile Systems under ‘Buy (Indian)’
• The Missile to be procured is an upgraded version of the previously inducted Akash missiles.
• The DRDO developed Akash as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme initiated in 1984.
•  It is made by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• Akash has a range of 25 km and can engage multiple targets at a time in all-weather conditions.
• It has a large operational envelope, from 30 metre to a maximum of 20 km.

Individual Under Water Breathing Apparatus (IUWBA):

•  The DAC also accorded approval for progressing Design and Development of Individual Under Water Breathing Apparatus (IUWBA) for T 90 Tanks.
• Developed by DRDO Lab DEBEL, the IUWBA is used by the crew of Tanks as a safety gear and is required by the Tank crew for emergency escape when negotiating water obstacles while deep fording.
• The DAC also accorded approval for Design and Development of Test Equipment for Guided Weapons System of T 90 Tank.
•  The equipment is being developed by DRDO and will give an indigenous solution to the Test Equipment used for checking the Guided Weapon System of Tank T 90.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):

• To counter corruption and speed up decision- making in military procurement, the government of India in 2001 decided to set up an integrated DAC. It is headed by the Defence Minister.
• The objective of the DAC is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces, in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.
•  The DAC is responsible to give policy guidelines to acquisitions, based on long-term procurement plans. It also clears all acquisitions, which includes both imported and those produced indigenously or under a foreign license.