DAC says yes to night sights for rocket launchers

New Delhi: In a move that has immense significance for the fight against cross border terror and in neutralizing terrorists and their infrastructure, the apex Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday approved the procurement of thermal imaging night sights for the 84 mm rocket launchers (RL) used by the Army and the Air Force under ‘BUY(Indian) IDDM’ category through established Indian vendors.

“The night sights will be used by troops in operations to facilitate accurate and continuous engagement of moving and static enemy targets and destruction of field fortifications (bunkers) during hours of complete darkness. The sight will enable own troops to detect and recognize enemy tanks and soldiers’ movement during night and engage them with greater efficiency”, a ministry release said.

“The effect of camouflage and concealment will be drastically reduced as RL detachments will be able to ascertain location of enemy taking cover behind foliage and thin walled constructions with greater ease”.

The DAC also gave the go-ahead for undertaking design and development of the Long Range Dual Band Infrared Imaging Search and Track System (IRST) for SU-30 MKI aircraft under ‘Make II’ sub category and subsequently, for procurement of at least 100 IRSTs under ‘Buy (Indian–IDDM) category. The system will be able to operate in day and night conditions and will substantially enhance the capabilities of the aircraft.

With this, in the last eight months alone, the defence ministry’s apex procurement panel approved procurement of equipment valued at about Rs 43,844 crore, of which, 74 per cent or Rs 32,253 crore would be Made-in-India, through the indigenous route.