India Clears ₹1.1 Lakh Crore Defence Buys
India has cleared defence acquisition proposals worth about ₹1.1 lakh crore to strengthen the capabilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force, with nearly 98% of the planned procurement expected to come from Indian industry.
DAC Clears ₹1.1 Lakh Crore Defence Procurement
The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity for a wide range of military systems covering air combat, surveillance, mobility, electronic warfare and battlefield support.
Acceptance of Necessity is the first major stage in India’s defence procurement process and does not itself constitute a final purchase contract.
The Air Force proposals include a ground-based multi-purpose jammer and systems intended to enhance the combat capability of fighter aircraft, transport planes and helicopters. A pilot project is also planned for integration of Russian-origin RVV-BD long-range air-to-air missiles with Sukhoi-30 fighters.
Army and Navy to Receive New Systems
For the Army, the approvals cover advanced light helicopters, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance vehicles, high-mobility vehicles, self-propelled mechanical mine layers, trawl tanks and Sarvatra bridge systems.
The Navy is set to acquire Arudhra surveillance radars to replace older systems at naval air stations.
Approval has also been granted for the design, development and procurement of marine gas turbines for warship propulsion, aimed at reducing dependence on overseas suppliers.
98% Procurement Planned From Indian Industry
The Defence Ministry said approximately 98% of the approved acquisitions would be sourced from Indian companies, reinforcing the government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
India recorded defence production worth around ₹1.8 lakh crore in 2025-26 and has set a target of ₹3 lakh crore by 2029-30.
The latest approvals also include a Defence Forces Secure Access Card system to replace existing paper-based identity cards and permits with interoperable smart cards.
