The defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared proposals worth Rs 45,000 crore to acquire 12 Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft and indigenous Dhruvastra short range air-to-surface missile for the Indian Air Force among nine platforms and weapon systems for the armed forces.

• A statement released by the defence ministry said that the DAC has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to procure 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft with associated equipment from the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The DAC, which is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is among the top bodies for clearing major capital acquisitions for defence. AoN is the first step in the long defence procurement process. Grant of an AoN does not necessarily lead to a final order.