The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared capital acquisition proposals worth ₹1.1 lakh crore to substantially upgrade the combat and operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. The approvals span a wide array of military hardware, including advanced missile integration projects, electronic warfare systems, naval radars, and specialized vehicles for the army.
According to the Union Defence Ministry, these clearances have been granted under the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) framework, which serves as the mandatory first step in India's formal defence procurement process. Emphasizing the focus on domestic manufacturing, the ministry stated that "Of the total AoNs accorded, approximately 98% of procurements will be made from the Indian Industry," reinforcing the national campaign for self-reliance in military production.
Integrating Long-Range Missiles and Air Force Jamming Systems
Among the most notable clearances for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is a pilot project aimed at integrating Russian-origin RVV BD long-range air-to-air missiles with the fleet of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets. This integration is expected to greatly extend the stand-off engagement range of the IAF's primary air superiority fighter, allowing pilots to target hostile aircraft at extreme distances.
In addition to the missile integration project, the DAC accorded an AoN for the acquisition of ground-based multi-purpose jammers (GBMPJ). These advanced electronic warfare systems are designed to provide effective jamming capabilities against the radar networks of adversaries, thereby protecting airspace and supporting offensive air operations by neutralizing ground-based tracking systems.
Naval Radar Upgrades and Domestic Warship Propulsion
For the Indian Navy, the council cleared proposals aimed at upgrading surveillance infrastructure and establishing domestic manufacturing capabilities for critical propulsion systems. A key highlight is the approval for the design, development, and subsequent procurement of marine gas turbines (MGT). These turbines serve as the primary propulsion systems for modern warships, and localizing their production is intended to reduce the navy's long-standing dependency on foreign vendors for critical engine components.
The naval clearances also include the procurement of Arudhra radars. These indigenous radar systems are slated to replace the aging air route surveillance radars currently operational at various naval air stations across the country. The deployment of Arudhra radars is expected to enhance airspace monitoring and maritime domain awareness around key naval installations.
Army Mobility, Mine Laying, and CBRN Reconnaissance
The Indian Army is set to receive a substantial capability boost with approvals covering specialized vehicles and battlefield engineering systems. The DAC cleared the procurement of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance vehicles. These specialized platforms are designed to detect, identify, monitor, and mark areas contaminated by CBRN agents, ensuring the safety and operational continuity of ground forces in hazardous environments.
To improve logistics and tactical movement, the council approved the acquisition of high mobility vehicles, which are expected to enhance operational capabilities and transport support in highly challenging terrains. Furthermore, the clearance includes self-propelled mechanical mine layers, which are critical for rapid and responsive mine-laying operations in difficult border areas.
The army's operational engineering capabilities will be further augmented by the procurement of trawl tanks and the Sarvatra bridge system. According to a statement from the Defence Ministry, these systems "will provide composite crossings to fighting formations during operations in varied terrains," allowing armored and infantry units to rapidly cross obstacles and maintain momentum during operations in varied and difficult terrains.
Transitioning to RFID-Based Secure Access Systems
Beyond heavy weaponry and combat platforms, the DAC approved a major security upgrade for military installations through the installation of the Defence Forces Secure Access Card system. This digital initiative is designed to replace the existing paper-based identity cards, passes, and permits currently used by military personnel and visitors.
The new system will utilize an interoperable radio frequency identification (RFID)-based smart card system. This transition is aimed at enhancing security protocols at sensitive military bases, streamlining access control, and preventing the counterfeiting of physical entry permits through a unified digital verification network.
Scaling Domestic Production to Meet 2029 Targets
The ₹1.1 lakh crore clearance comes amid a series of policy measures implemented by the Indian government to reduce imports and foster a resilient domestic defence industrial base. These measures include the imposition of phased import bans on specific weapons, ammunition, and critical sub-systems, alongside the creation of a dedicated budget category for purchasing locally manufactured military hardware. The government has also increased the limit for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the defence sector from 49% to 74% and introduced reforms to improve the ease of doing business for private defence firms.
These policy interventions are aligned with the government's long-term target of achieving annual defence manufacturing worth ₹3 lakh crore by the fiscal year 2029-30. According to official data, India achieved defence production worth ₹1.8 lakh crore during the 2025-26 fiscal year, indicating a steady upward trajectory in domestic manufacturing capacity.
Next Steps in the Procurement Pipeline
Following the grant of the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the DAC, the cleared proposals will now transition into the formal tendering phase. This process involves the issuance of Requests for Proposal (RFP) to eligible domestic defence manufacturers, followed by technical evaluations, field trials, and commercial negotiations before final contracts are signed.
The pilot project for integrating the RVV BD missiles on the Sukhoi-30 fleet and the development of the marine gas turbines will involve close collaboration between the armed forces, defence public sector undertakings, and private industry partners. Timeline details for the deployment of the RFID-based secure access cards and the delivery of the Arudhra radars remain subject to the finalization of these commercial contracts.
