THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, OCTOBER 26, 2026
The Defence
Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday
cleared capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 2.12 lakh crore
for the armed forces, with around 82 per cent of the procurements earmarked for
the Indian industry, in a major push to bolster the country's military
capabilities and promote indigenous defence manufacturing.
The Acceptance of
Necessity (AoN), which marks in-principle approval for the proposed
acquisitions, covers a wide range of military hardware, including artillery
systems, helicopters, air defence platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles,
surveillance equipment and advanced naval platforms.
For the Indian Army,
the council approved the procurement of High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs),
Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems, Gun Shot Response Systems (GSRS), Light
Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS),
platform-based Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), long-range unmanned
aerial systems, surveillance UAVs, integrated surveillance and strike systems,
and long-range kamikaze drone systems.
The acquisitions are
aimed at enhancing the Army's operational readiness, mobility, firepower and
surveillance capabilities, particularly in challenging terrain and increasingly
complex battlefield environments.
The HMVs are expected
to improve troop mobility and logistical support, while the Self-Propelled
Tracked Gun Systems will provide mechanised formations with enhanced mobility
and firepower. The GSRS will act as a force multiplier by providing real-time
situational awareness, strengthening the Army's ability to respond swiftly to
emerging threats.
The Light Multi Role
Helicopters, intended for use by both the Army and the Indian Air Force, will
support reconnaissance, surveillance, combat operations, search and rescue
missions, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The VSHORADS will
help counter emerging threats posed by small, next-generation aerial platforms,
while the platform-based C-UAS is expected to improve the survivability of
tanks against unmanned aerial threats on the modern battlefield.
The proposed
surveillance and drone systems will further strengthen the Army's
intelligence-gathering, target acquisition and precision-strike capabilities.
For the Indian Navy,
the DAC accorded approval for the procurement of Active Offboard Decoy Systems
(AODS) and other major naval platforms.
The AODS is designed
to enhance the effectiveness of the Navy's anti-missile defence, particularly
against advanced anti-ship missiles. The indigenously designed and constructed
naval platforms are expected to incorporate modern warfare capabilities and
significantly strengthen the Navy's combat potential.
The Indian Air Force
also received approval for the procurement of helicopters, air defence systems,
weapons and a Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar System as part of efforts to
enhance its air defence and war-fighting capabilities.
The proposed Special
Utility Helicopters will help meet the IAF's critical air transport
requirements, while the X-Band Doppler Weather Radar System will provide
high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas, supporting
operational planning and flight safety.
The emphasis on domestic procurement is expected to provide a significant boost to India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, strengthen indigenous production capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
With nearly 82 per cent of the approved procurement value set to be sourced from Indian industry, the latest decisions underline the government's continued focus on self-reliance in defence production, even as the armed forces seek to modernise their equipment and prepare for evolving security challenges.
