New Delhi: A major push to strengthen India’s military capabilities and advance defence modernisation, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday approved Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a series of capital acquisition proposals valued at nearly ₹52,000 crore.
The approvals encompass a broad range of advanced weapon systems, air defence assets, unmanned platforms and naval technologies for the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The AoN constitutes the government’s in-principle approval, paving the way for the procurement process to commence.
For the Indian Army, the DAC cleared the acquisition of 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 Systems for tanks and Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone Systems.
The AKASH TARANG system is expected to strengthen the Army’s ability to counter hostile drones and other unmanned aerial threats. The induction of MPATGM systems will enhance the infantry’s capability to engage enemy armoured and mechanised formations, while the MRSAM weapon system will provide robust medium-range air defence against a range of aerial threats.
The V-SHORADS, featuring multi-spectral sensing technology, will improve the Army’s short-range air defence capability by enhancing its resilience against enemy countermeasures. The Active Protection System is designed to increase the survivability of tanks by detecting and intercepting incoming threats before they strike. Meanwhile, the Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System is expected to boost electronic warfare capabilities, deliver greater precision and lethality, and improve operational survivability in a cost-effective manner.
For the Indian Navy, the council 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 Multi Influence Ground Mine will enhance the Navy’s ability to deny adversaries freedom of manoeuvre in critical maritime areas. The Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System, equipped with advanced sensors, will significantly improve maritime surveillance and situational awareness. The proposed Land-Based Testing Facility will serve as a dedicated platform for testing motors and associated electric propulsion systems for future naval assets.
The DAC also approved the procurement of a Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) for the Indian Air Force, along with several other proposals. The FW-HAPS platform is designed to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), while also supporting telecommunications and remote sensing missions, thereby strengthening the Air Force’s long-endurance operational capabilities.
The latest approvals underscore the government’s continued focus on modernising the armed forces through advanced technologies and indigenous capability development. The acquisitions are aimed at enhancing operational readiness across the Army, Navy and Air Force while equipping them to effectively respond to evolving security challenges across land, sea and air.
