In a major push to strengthen India’s military capability and firepower, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Friday approved procurement proposals worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore (around USD 25 billion). The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a wide range of acquisitions across the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard, a statement said.
In a post on X, Singh said he chaired the DAC meeting that cleared proposals of this scale, adding that the decisions would significantly enhance India’s defence preparedness. He also highlighted that approvals and contracts in the current financial year have reached record levels.
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“Chaired the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting today in which Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded to various proposals worth an estimated cost of about Rs 2.38 lakh crore. The decisions taken in the DAC will help in further strengthening India’s defence preparedness,” Singh said in a post on X.
“For the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the Air Defence Tracked System, Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition, High Capacity Radio Relay, Dhanush Gun System and Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System,” he added.
FOCUS ON ARMY MODERNISATION
For the Army, the council cleared several key systems aimed at improving operational readiness and battlefield effectiveness.
These include the Air Defence Tracked System, designed to provide real-time air defence control and reporting, and High Capacity Radio Relay systems to ensure reliable and secure communication.
The approvals also cover Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition to boost anti-tank lethality, the Dhanush Gun System to enhance long-range artillery strike capability with improved accuracy, and the Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System for better intelligence and monitoring support in varied terrains.
AIR FORCE GETS STRATEGIC BOOST
The Air Force will see major upgrades with approvals for Medium Transport Aircraft, which will replace the ageing AN-32 and IL-76 fleets to meet strategic and tactical airlift requirements.
The DAC also cleared procurement of the Russian S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system, aimed at countering advanced aerial threats targeting critical assets.
Additionally, Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft have been approved to strengthen offensive capabilities, including coordinated air operations and stealth intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Another key decision includes the overhaul of Su-30 aero engine aggregates, which is expected to extend aircraft service life and ensure sustained operational readiness.
COAST GUARD AND MARITIME CAPABILITIES
For the Indian Coast Guard, the DAC approved Heavy Duty Air Cushion Vehicles. These platforms will support high-speed coastal patrolling, search and rescue missions, reconnaissance, and logistics operations, enhancing maritime security and rapid response capabilities.
RECORD DEFENCE SPENDING
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted that in FY 2025–26, the DAC has already accorded AoN to 55 proposals worth Rs 6.73 lakh crore.
He described it as “heartening” that capital procurement contracts for 503 proposals worth Rs 2.28 lakh crore have also been signed this fiscal, marking the highest ever in a single year.
The latest approvals underline the government’s continued focus on modernising the armed forces and strengthening indigenous and strategic defence capabilities amid evolving security challenges.
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Published By:
Shipra Parashar
Published On:
Mar 27, 2026 17:43 IST
