Defence Acquisition Council Approves ₹1.10 Lakh Crore Military Procurement Proposals

In a significant boost to military modernization and domestic defence manufacturing, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) on September 7, 2026, for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹1.10 lakh crore. In alignment with the government's push for self-reliance in national security, around 98 percent of the total procurements will be sourced directly from Indian defence industries. For the Indian Army, the DAC approved major acquisitions including 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. The CBRN vehicles will detect and mark contaminated zones, while high mobility vehicles and mechanical mine-layers will bolster operational capabilities in difficult terrains. For the Indian Navy, the council cleared the procurement of Arudhra Radars to replace aging air route surveillance systems, alongside the design and development of indigenous Marine Gas Turbines for warship propulsion. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force received approvals for upgrades to fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters, as well as Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers and an RFID-based Defence Forces Secure Access Card system. These approvals mark a comprehensive effort to modernise India's tri-services capabilities.