Defence Acquisition Council Approves ₹1.1 Lakh Crore Equipment Procurement for Armed Forces

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for major capital acquisition proposals valued at approximately ₹1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Armed Forces. The approvals mark a significant step toward bolstering operational readiness while reinforcing the government's self-reliance initiative in defence manufacturing. Significantly, roughly 98% of the approved procurement value is set to be sourced from the domestic Indian defence industry under the 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' category. For the Indian Army, the clearance encompasses Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks, and the Sarvatra Bridge System. These procurements aim to enhance logistics, mine-laying capability, and troop mobility across difficult terrains. For the Indian Navy, the DAC cleared Arudhra Radars to replace ageing air route surveillance equipment at naval air stations, along with the design and development of indigenous Marine Gas Turbines for warship propulsion. For the Indian Air Force, approvals were accorded for upgrades to fighters, transports, and helicopters, alongside Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers and the DEFSAC secure access system. This major capital injection provides long-term clarity for defence modernization and domestic industrial capacity.