The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a series of capital acquisition proposals amounting to approximately ₹52,000 crore. This substantial investment aims to bolster the combat capabilities of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
For the Indian Army, the DAC has approved an array of critical procurements, including the Akash Tarang Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Electronic Warfare System, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Systems, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Weapon System, Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS), an Active Protection System for Tanks, and Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System. Each of these systems serves a unique purpose in enhancing the Army’s effectiveness on the battlefield. The Akash Tarang system is set to significantly improve anti-drone capabilities, while the MPATGM will empower infantry troops against modern mechanized threats. The MRSAM is designed to provide a robust medium-range defense against various aerial threats, and the V-SHORADS will enhance resilience through advanced multi-spectral sensing capabilities. The Active Protection System aims to considerably increase tank survivability, and the jet-powered kamikaze drones will facilitate advanced electronic warfare operations with improved lethality and operational flexibility.
Turning to the Indian Navy, the DAC has approved the acquisition of the Multi Influence Ground Mine (MIGM), a Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS), and the establishment of a Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for electric propulsion systems. These initiatives are expected to strengthen the Navy’s maritime denial capabilities, improve surveillance functions through advanced unmanned aerial systems, and enable the testing of next-generation naval propulsion technologies.
In the realm of the Indian Air Force, the DAC has also backed the procurement of Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (FW-HAPS) among other proposals. These platforms are set to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), telecommunications support, and remote sensing capabilities. The inclusion of FW-HAPS will significantly enhance the IAF’s operational capabilities for long-endurance missions.
These approvals underscore the government’s commitment to bolster India’s defense readiness through the introduction of advanced technologies, predominantly sourced from domestic capabilities, thereby enhancing operational preparedness across all three branches of the armed forces.
