What is the primary objective of the amendments approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for the MQ-9B UAV deal with the U.S.?

Solution

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved crucial amendments for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomics of the U.S. The key amendments involved the inclusion of indigenous content and enhancements related to other aspects within the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the deal. These amendments are pivotal as they aim to align the acquisition with India's strategic interests in self-reliance and indigenization within the defense sector. By integrating indigenous content, the deal not only supports local industries but also builds technical expertise domestically. Additionally, the approval process requires further clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security, reflecting the deal's importance in India's defense acquisition strategy. This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize and strengthen India's military capabilities while fostering domestic technological advancements.