New Delhi, February 13. The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on February 12 approved capital acquisition proposals worth an estimated Rs. 3.60 lakh crore (around $40 billion), significantly boosting India’s military modernisation drive across the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Major boost for Indian Air Force
For the Indian Air Force, the Council granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), identified as 114 more Rafale from France, along with combat missiles and Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (AS-HAPS).
The MRFA acquisition is aimed at strengthening the IAF’s air dominance across the full spectrum of conflict, particularly enhancing its long-range offensive strike and deterrence capabilities. A majority of these aircraft are expected to be manufactured in India, providing a fillip to domestic defence production.
The approved combat missiles will enhance stand-off ground attack capabilities, enabling deep precision strikes. Meanwhile, AS-HAPS platforms will provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic intelligence, telecommunications and remote sensing support for military operations.
Indian Army modernisation
For the Indian Army, AoN was accorded for the procurement of Vibhav anti-tank mines and the overhaul of vehicle platforms for Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 tanks and BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles.
The Vibhav mines are intended to create anti-tank obstacle systems to delay and disrupt advancing enemy mechanised formations. The overhaul of ARVs, T-72 tanks and BMP-II vehicles will extend their service life, ensuring sustained operational readiness and combat effectiveness.
Naval capability enhancement
For the Indian Navy, the Council cleared proposals for 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine-based electric power generators and the acquisition of Boeing P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
The induction of the 4 MW generators under the ‘Make-I’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 is expected to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthen self-reliance in naval power generation systems.
The P-8I aircraft will substantially enhance the Navy’s long-range anti-submarine warfare capabilities, maritime surveillance and maritime strike capacity, reinforcing India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
Coast Guard surveillance upgrade
The Indian Coast Guard also received AoN for the procurement of electro-optical/infra-red systems for its Dornier aircraft fleet. The new systems are expected to significantly improve the Coast Guard’s maritime surveillance and operational effectiveness.
The large-scale approvals underscore the government’s continued emphasis on strengthening national security while promoting indigenous defence manufacturing under the broader self-reliance push.
