New minesweepers for the Navy and QR Sam (or Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile) systems for the Army: both are likely to be on the agenda when the Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Rajnath Singh, and including chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan and the three service chiefs meet on July 1. The Navy is looking for a dozen minesweepers, to be built in India and they are similar to modern international versions, at about 3,000 tons, versatile, with multiple functions including minelaying and anti-submarine warfare. With each minesweeper costing over Rs 3,500 crores, the entire package is likely to be Rs 43,000 crores. After clearance, an Indian shipyard will make them. While Goa Shipyards has the necessary infrastructure, sources said, the decision on the shipyard will be made on a “competitive basis.” While a decision on the QR Sam has been made– this DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Bharat Electronics/ Bharat Dynamics product– with a range of 3-30 km– the “scaling” remains to be done. Simply, a decision on how many to buy has to be taken, but sources said it is likely to be a Rs 30,000 crore deal. The QR Sam will provide for last-gasp air defence to a large part of the Army. Keeping to the government”s atmanirbharata or self-reliance plan, the defence ministry’s purchases in recent years have largely been indigenously made weapons systems. A number of other issues will be cleared at the July 1 DAC meeting, being held after a long while. The defence secretary and DRDO chief are also members of the DAC.