NEW DELHI: In yet another push to the Modi Government’s ambitious ÂMake in India initiative, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, cleared proposals worth Rs 21,738 crore for procurement of 111 naval utility helicopters through strategic partnership model.

ÂIn a landmark decision, the DAC accorded the first approval under the recently introduced strategic partnership model for procurement of 111 naval utility helicopters, sources in the Defence establishment said. 

As part of the proposal, 16 naval utility helicopters will be bought in a fly away state from the selected Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs) and the remaining 95 will be made by Indian Strategic Partners in India.

The DAC, which is defence ministryÂs highest decision making body for capital acquisition, also accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of nine active towed array sonar system (Advance) for the Indian Navy at an estimated cost of Rs 454 crore, sources added.

The equipment will be fitted on model naval vessel and will be greatly enhanced the submarine detection capability.