New Delhi
The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, is also likely to take decision on the issue of purchasing ultra-light Howitzer M-777 guns from the US through direct military sales route, sources in the Defence Ministry told UNI.
The bulk production clearance for Dhanush, an upgraded version of Bofors guns developed indigenously under the transfer of technology, may also be part of the heavy agenda of DAC, which is meeting for the first time after the government adopted the new defence procurement policy.
The issue of acquiring M-777 ultra-light Howitzers under a direct government-to-government deal at a cost of over 700 million dollar has to be taken to a logical conclusion in time-bound manner, as the deadline for the expiry of request for proposal (RFP) is near closure.
The US administration had already finalised a proposal for the sale of these guns to India, with a letter of acceptance, awaiting the DAC nod.
The deal for purchasing two modified 777-300 (ER) aircraft was also pending for a long time. The aircraft will be part of the Palam-based communication squadron of IAF, which is mandated to carry out VVIP flights. The Communication Squadron has three Boeing business jets in its inventory, having a range of 3,000 nautical miles.
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