New defence acquisition policy in works

The Army is working on a policy to balance the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) and the need to adapt and add technology.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi while speaking at an event yesterday said the DAP, which is the rule book for acquisition of military items, was formulated long ago. It was drafted to ensure fair and transparent acquisition of imported equipment.

“The standard acquisition procedure and technology acquisition need to decouple and we’re working towards it,” General Dwivedi said.

“The Defence Secretary and the government are in agreement that we need to look into it. So we’re working towards it,” he said. “Technology is moving fast. Self-reliance has also become important in the recent wars. The Army has gone in for emergency procurement. And 100 per cent of it was from local sources. We’re also looking at accelerated procurement programme,” General Dwivedi said.

With the ongoing wars being of long duration, mass application of fire, innovative ideas and on-ground adaptation is being seen. “All these things are possible if we have own arms and ammunition. Only then can we have the capability to provide the surge in fire,” he said.