The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 52,000 crore to significantly strengthen the operational readiness and combat capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. The approvals, granted through the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) process, cover a range of advanced weapon systems, air defence platforms, unmanned technologies and naval capabilities for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
For the Indian Army, the approved acquisitions include the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Electronic Warfare System AKASH TARANG, 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), Active Protection System for Tanks and Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone Systems.
The AKASH TARANG system will provide robust protection against hostile drones and enhance the Army’s ability to counter emerging aerial threats. The MPATGM will strengthen infantry units in tackling enemy armoured formations, while the MRSAM system will provide reliable medium-range air defence against a wide spectrum of aerial threats.
The V-SHORADS, equipped with multi-spectral sensing technology, is expected to improve resilience against countermeasures and increase engagement effectiveness. The Active Protection System will enhance the survivability of tanks by intercepting incoming threats, while the Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System will provide enhanced electronic warfare capability, greater precision and improved operational effectiveness in a cost-efficient manner.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM), Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS) and the establishment of a Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion Systems. The MIGM will enhance maritime denial capabilities by restricting adversary movement in strategic waters.
The NSUAS, equipped with advanced surveillance sensors, will strengthen maritime domain awareness and operational monitoring. The proposed testing facility will support the evaluation and validation of motors and propulsion systems for future naval platforms.
The Indian Air Force will procure Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) systems along with other approved equipment. The FW-HAPS platform is designed to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, while also supporting telecommunications and remote sensing missions over extended durations. The latest approvals reflect the government’s continued focus on modernising the Armed Forces with advanced technologies, strengthening indigenous defence capabilities and enhancing preparedness across land, sea and air domains to address evolving security challenges.
