The long-delayed Avro replacement programme and the revised proposal of BAE Systems for the M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers (ULH) are on the agenda of the Defence Acquisition Council meeting to be chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday, informed sources have said.
The Rs. 12,000-crore order intends to replace the Air Force’s ageing fleet of 56 Avro aircraft through the ‘Make in India’ route with a private player building them in India in collaboration with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM). As per requirement, 16 aircraft will come in fly-away condition from the OEM while the remaining 40 are to be built in India.
