Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the implementation guidelines for the Strategic Partnership Model to ensure timely delivery of equipment to the Armed Forces.
The approval was given at the meeting of DAC chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi yesterday.
An official release said, the model aims to revitalise defence industrial ecosystem and progressively build indigenous capabilities in the private sector to design, develop and manufacture complex weapon systems for the future needs of the Armed Forces.
The Ministry said, this will give a major fillip towards encouraging self-reliance and aligning the defence sector with the Make in India initiative of the Government.
The DAC also approved platform specific guidelines for procurement of Naval Utility Helicopters. All procurements under the Strategic Partnership Model would be executed by specially constituted Empowered Project Committees to provide focussed attention and ensure timely execution.
The DAC also accorded approval for the acquisition of eight Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard at a cost of about 800 crore rupees. These vessels will be indigenously designed and manufactured which will strengthen maritime security.
