India, July 3 -- The defence acquisition council (DAC) on Thursday gave its initial approval to purchase military hardware worth Rs.1.05 lakh crore to sharpen the capabilities of the Indian armed forces.

The purchase plans involve minesweepers, quick-reaction surface-to-air missiles and electronic warfare systems to armoured recovery vehicles, the defence ministry said.

The DAC, headed by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, accorded its acceptance of necessity (AoN) to 10 capital acquisition proposals through the indigenous route to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector, it said. Under India's defence procurement rules, AoN by the council is the first step towards buying military equipment.

The acquisition of mine c...