![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
India is set to push ahead with several big-ticket defence procurement deals, with the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) expected to take up key proposals at its meeting next week, highly placed sources in the Defence Ministry said.
Among the major items on the agenda are the acquisition of 114 additional Rafale fighter jets, six more P-8I maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, and a flagship programme to develop indigenous marine gas turbine engines for the Indian Navy.
Sources said the DAC meeting is likely to be held on February 12, and the proposals are expected to receive in-principle approval, clearing the way for the next stage of the acquisition process.
Rafale proposal moves to apex body
The proposal to acquire 114 more Rafale jets is expected to be taken up days ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India, sources said. The Defence Procurement Board has already examined the case and is now headed to the DAC, the highest decision-making body on capital acquisitions.
If cleared, the project will move into detailed technical evaluations and commercial negotiations. Officials indicated that the new induction is aimed at arresting the steady decline in the Indian Air Force’s fighter squadron strength.
India-US defence deals back on track
Sources said the DAC will also review India’s long-pending plan to procure six additional P-8I aircraft from the United States. The move comes amid signs of easing tensions between New Delhi and Washington, following progress on trade and tariff issues.
The Indian Navy currently operates 12 P-8I aircraft and is seeking 6 more to strengthen surveillance over the Indian Ocean Region. The acquisition is being pursued through the US Foreign Military Sales route.
The US State Department had cleared the sale in May 2021 at an estimated cost of $2.42 billion. However, the deal stalled due to cost concerns and political headwinds after Donald Trump assumed office as US President last year.
Despite this, negotiations continued. Senior officials from the US Department of Defence and Boeing visited India in September for detailed discussions. Sources now say the DAC could clear the proposal, with the contract likely to be signed in the next financial year.
Indigenous marine gas turbine engines
The DAC is also expected to consider a major indigenisation proposal for developing marine gas turbine engines for the Indian Navy under the MAKE-I category.
The programme aims to reduce dependence on imported propulsion systems and support the Navy’s long-term shipbuilding plans. The focus is on developing a 24–28 megawatt marine gas turbine to power future destroyers and frigates.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi has repeatedly underlined the importance of indigenous propulsion systems. He has said the effort is critical to cutting reliance on foreign suppliers such as the US-made GE LM2500 and Ukrainian Zorya engines.
Sources said the Navy is working with DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Four prototype engines are planned under the programme.
Alongside conventional gas turbines, the Navy is also studying full electric propulsion for future warships to improve efficiency and reduce life-cycle costs.
Officials said the upcoming DAC meeting is significant, as it signals a renewed push on big-ticket acquisitions while simultaneously accelerating self-reliance in critical technologies.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
