The DAC meeting, likely on May 3, is expected to clear the need for the choppers, valued at Rs 3,621 crore

In what could be the last Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting of this government, a clearance is likely for 10 Russian Kamov helicopters for the Indian Navy.

The DAC meeting, likely on May 3, is expected to clear the need for the choppers, valued at Rs 3,621 crore.

As this is a "follow-on" order, which means that when a weapon system (in this case, the chopper) is already with the armed forces and more are needed, the lengthy process of trials has already been gone through and aren't really required again.

The DAC is headed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and includes the three service chiefs, the defence secretary and the scientific adviser to the minister.

While major decisions are usually not taken during the elections, the Defence Ministry is an exception as there are national security issues involved. And it is more so this time, after Pulwama, the Balakot strike on February 26 and the subsequent attacks by Pakistani Air Force planes the next day.