The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, cleared the procurement of 15 aircraft, including nine multi-mission maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy and six naval patrol aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard.
"In the true spirit of 'Aatmanirbharta' (Self-reliant), the approvals accorded on February 16 lay special emphasis on procurement of various equipment from Indian vendors", the Defence Ministry said in a statement, media reported.
"The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of flight refueller aircraft for enhancing the operational capabilities and reach of the Indian Air Force", the ministry said.
These planes will be built upon C-295 transport aircraft, which will be manufactured in India in a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus.
The DAC is among the top bodies in defence for clearing major capital acquisitions; the total cost of procuring these aircraft is expected to be around INR 845 billion ($10.1 billion).
Meanwhile, earlier this week, the Ministry of Defence also signed an INR 17.5 billion ($211 million) deal to buy 463 indigenously built 12.7 mm stabilised remote control guns for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.