The Defence Acquisition Council has cleared capital acquisition proposals worth around ₹2.12 lakh crore for the armed forces, covering helicopters, drones, air-defence systems, artillery, surveillance platforms and naval systems. Around 82% of the procurement value is expected to go to Indian industry.
New Delhi, October 26 — The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted Acceptance of Necessity for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore for the Indian armed forces.
The approvals cover a wide range of systems for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, aimed at improving mobility, surveillance, strike capability, air defence and battlefield survivability.
For the Indian Army, the DAC approved procurement of High Mobility Vehicles, Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems, Gun Shot Response Systems, Light Multi Role Helicopters, VSHORADS, counter-drone systems, long-range UAVs, surveillance drones, integrated surveillance and strike systems and long-range kamikaze drone systems.
The High Mobility Vehicles are expected to improve logistics and operational movement in difficult terrain, while the tracked gun systems will provide greater firepower and mobility to mechanised formations.
The Gun Shot Response System is intended to improve real-time battlefield awareness.
Light Multi Role Helicopters will be used by both the Army and Air Force for missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, combat, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The VSHORADS systems will be used against newer small aerial threats, while platform-based counter-UAS systems are expected to improve the survivability of tanks against drones.
The surveillance and drone systems will strengthen the Army’s ability to detect, track and engage targets.
For the Indian Navy, approval was given for procurement of an Active Offboard Decoy System and other major naval platforms.
The decoy system is designed to improve protection against modern anti-ship missiles, while the indigenous naval platforms are expected to strengthen the Navy’s combat capability.
For the Indian Air Force, the DAC cleared procurement of helicopters, air-defence systems, weapons and Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems.
The radar systems will provide high-resolution localised weather surveillance in forward areas, while special utility helicopters will support important air-transport requirements.
A major feature of the approvals is the focus on domestic sourcing.
According to the Defence Ministry, around 82% of the total value of the approved procurements is expected to be sourced from Indian industry, supporting the government’s broader push towards indigenous defence manufacturing.
