Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

• DAC is the highest decision-making body of the Defence Ministry on procurement.
• Objective: To ensure expedited procurement of the approved requirements of the armed forces.
• Formation: It was formed after the Group of Minister's recommendations on 'Reforming the National Security System', in 2001, post-Kargil War (1999).
• Composition:
  • The Defence Minister is the chairman of DAC.
  • Its members include the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Functions:
  • Give in-principle approval of a 15-year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for defence forces.
  • Accord of acceptance of necessity to acquisition proposals.
  • Categorization of the acquisition proposals relating to ‘Buy’, ‘Buy & Make’, and ‘Make’.
  • Look into issues relating to single vendor clearance.
  • Take decisions regarding ‘offset’ provisions in respect of acquisition proposals above Rs 300 crore.
  • Take decisions regarding the transfer of technology under the ‘Buy & Make’ category of acquisition proposals.
  • Field trial evaluation.

Q1) What is the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?

The Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (CDS) is the military head and permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) of the Indian Armed Forces. The CDS is the highest-ranking uniformed officer on active duty in the Indian military and chief military adviser to the Minister of Defence. The Chief also heads the Department of Military Affairs.

Source: Defence sector gets ₹2.23 lakh crore push; upgraded jets for IAF, new guns in army and more