Defence Boost: DAC Clears Massive Rs 2.12 Lakh Crore Procurement Plan
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh clears capital proposals worth Rs 2.12 lakh crore to modernize Indian Armed Forces with 82% domestic sourcing.
In a massive move to overhaul the combat readiness and technological edge of the Indian military, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 2.12 lakh crore. Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 26, 2026, this administrative approval paves the way for a significant modernization drive across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
A Huge Win for 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'
The scale of this approval is not just about the numbers, but where the equipment is coming from. In a strong push toward self-reliance, roughly 82% of the total procurement is expected to be sourced from the domestic industry. This alignment with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative aims to reduce India's historical dependence on foreign military imports and stimulate the local defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Indian Army: From Kamikaze Drones to High-Mobility Vehicles
The Indian Army stands to receive a diverse array of cutting-edge hardware designed for both traditional warfare and modern asymmetric threats. The approved list of procurements includes:
- Advanced Aerial Systems: Long Range Kamikaze Drone Systems, Unmanned Aerial System Brick Long Range, and various Surveillance UAVs.
- Defence and Strike: Integrated Surveillance and Strike Systems, Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems, and Platform Based Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems.
- Ground Support and Artillery: High Mobility Vehicles, Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems, and Gun Shot Response Systems.
- Aviation: Light Multi Role Helicopters.
Strengthening the Navy and Air Force
The modernization drive extends well beyond the land borders, ensuring that India's maritime and aerial domains are equally fortified.
Indian Navy
To counter the evolving threat of anti-ship missiles, the Navy is set to acquire Active Offboard Decoy Systems. The focus remains on indigenous platforms that can enhance the fleet's survivability and combat effectiveness at sea.
Indian Air Force
The Air Force will bolster its capabilities with the acquisition of specialized helicopters and advanced air defence systems. Additionally, the deployment of Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems will provide high-resolution surveillance, which is critical for operations in forward areas.
The Vision for 'Aatmanirbharta 2.0'
Speaking at the SWAVLAMBAN seminar in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for a transition toward 'Aatmanirbharta 2.0.' He emphasized that the nation must move beyond basic procurement and focus on developing state-of-the-art technology and strengthening Research and Development (R&D) to ensure Indian defence products are globally competitive.
Adding to this vision, Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan highlighted the necessity of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems into the military framework, asserting that such technological superiority is non-negotiable in modern warfare.