Emergency Arms Purchase Window Extended till Jan. 15

Sources said the DAC is likely to meet again on Monday to clear major defence acquisition proposals, including indigenous missile and rocket programmes.

The armed forces were granted emergency procurement powers following Operation Sindoor to enable fast-track acquisition of arms and ammunition required to plug critical capability gaps. Under these powers, the Indian Army is expected to sign contracts for shoulder-fired anti-tank Javelin missile systems and Excalibur precision-guided artillery ammunition from the US.

The government has permitted the defence forces to utilise up to 20 per cent of their capital expenditure allocation for emergency purchases. The Ministry of Defence has also made it clear that delays in emergency procurement will not be tolerated and that strict action will be taken against vendors who fail to deliver within one year of contract signing.

Last week, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India reported that 72 per cent of emergency procurement contracts issued by the Indian Army during tensions with China were delayed. The audit noted that such delays defeated the very objective of relaxations granted under the emergency procurement framework.