The Defence Acquisition Council has also approved the purchase of six additional Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy.
DAC Clears Six Additional Boeing P-8I Aircraft
The Defence Acquisition Council has also approved the purchase of six additional Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy.
The P-8I, derived from the Boeing 737 platform, is a long-range multi-mission aircraft used for:
- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
- Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW)
- Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
These new aircraft will join the Navy’s existing fleet of 12 P-8Is, known as “Neptune,” which have logged over 40,000 accident-free flight hours.
The deal, estimated at $3–4 billion, is expected to significantly strengthen India’s maritime domain awareness and underwater combat capabilities.
DAC Approves 114 Rafale Fighter Jets & Strategic Systems
In a major expansion of air power, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for multiple defence proposals worth approximately ₹3.6 lakh crore.
Rafale Expansion Plan
India will procure 114 additional Rafale fighter aircraft under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme:
- 18 jets in fly-away condition
- Remaining aircraft to be manufactured in India
- Around 90 jets expected to be built domestically under the Make in India initiative
This acquisition will increase India’s Rafale fleet to 176 aircraft, including the 36 already operational with the Indian Air Force and 26 Rafale-M jets ordered for naval carrier operations.
The move comes at a time when the Indian Air Force operates around 30 squadrons, significantly below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.
MoD Signs ₹2,312 Crore Contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
The Ministry of Defence has entered into a ₹2,312 crore agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard. The contract falls under the Buy (Indian) category, promoting domestic manufacturing.
