The Indian government has announced an extension of the emergency procurement window for the Armed Forces until January 15. This decision allows the Army, Navy, and Air Force to continue making fast-track purchases of essential weapons, platforms, and equipment needed for urgent operational requirements.
Official sources revealed that the previous emergency procurement deadline, which expired last month, necessitated this extension to prevent delays in various pending acquisitions. The additional time grants the three Services the opportunity to finalize and sign contracts for priority equipment essential for maintaining operational readiness.
This extension comes on the heels of a postponed Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, originally scheduled for December 26. The delay, attributed to incomplete attendance, hindered discussions on nearly 20 key agenda items. Despite this setback, the government opted to extend the emergency procurement deadline to ensure that the induction of crucial capabilities remains uninterrupted.
Emergency procurement powers were first introduced in 2020 as a response to the Galwan Valley clash, streamlining the acquisition process for the armed forces to address critical capability gaps more efficiently. Under this framework, the Vice Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force can approve procurements of up to ₹300 crore for each project.
This mechanism differs significantly from the standard defense acquisition process, which usually involves extensive layers of approvals and prolonged timelines. By utilizing the emergency procurement route, the armed forces can expedite the induction of vital equipment such as ammunition, drones, surveillance systems, and other specialized platforms.
Defence officials indicated that this extension underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring high operational preparedness across all three Services, particularly in an increasingly dynamic security landscape, while longer-term acquisitions proceed through the standard procurement processes.
