DAC clears ₹1.10 lakh crore defence acquisition proposals, 98% to be sourced from Indian industry
New Delhi, Sep 7. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a range of defence acquisition proposals estimated at around ₹1.10 lakh crore ($11.6 billion), in a major push towards strengthening the operational capabilities of the armed forces and promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.
For the Indian Army, the approvals cover the procurement of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers (MMLs), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System.
The CBRN reconnaissance vehicles will be equipped to detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents, enhancing the Army’s ability to operate in contaminated environments.
The HMVs are intended to improve troop mobility, logistics and operational support, particularly in difficult terrain. The Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers will provide the Army with a faster and more responsive capability to lay mines in challenging operational environments.
The DAC has also cleared the procurement of Advanced Light Helicopters for the Army and the Indian Air Force. The helicopters are expected to support complex missions across diverse terrains and operational conditions.
The Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge System will provide combat formations with the capability to establish crossings across varied terrain during military operations, strengthening the Army’s combat engineering and mobility capabilities.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of Arudhra radars as well as the design and development, followed by procurement, of Marine Gas Turbines (MGTs).
The Arudhra radar systems will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars deployed at various naval air stations. The proposed indigenous development of marine gas turbines, which are used for warship propulsion, is aimed at reducing the Navy’s dependence on foreign vendors for critical propulsion technology.
The Indian Air Force will also receive a range of capabilities aimed at strengthening the war-fighting effectiveness of its fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters. The DAC additionally approved the procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJs) and the installation of the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) System.
The GBMPJ systems will enhance the IAF’s electronic warfare capability by providing effective jamming against adversary radars. The DEFSAC system will replace existing paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based smart cards, strengthening access control and security across the defence forces.
The latest approvals carry particular significance for India’s drive towards defence self-reliance, with approximately 98 percent of the procurements covered by the AoNs to be sourced from Indian industry.
The large-scale procurement package is expected to provide a substantial boost to domestic defence manufacturers while creating opportunities across the wider industrial ecosystem, including companies involved in military vehicles, aerospace, radar, electronic warfare, propulsion and defence electronics. It also reinforces the government’s focus on reducing import dependence and expanding indigenous capabilities in critical defence technologies.
