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₹1.03 Lakh Crore Defence Boost: India Approves Mega Military Purchases
The Indian Armed Forces are set to receive a major arsenal upgrade following the Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) approval of military procurement proposals worth a staggering ₹1.03 lakh crore. The approvals, made under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, underline the government’s emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing through the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Major Defence Acquisition Cleared
The Defence Ministry announced that the Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved a wide spectrum of modernisation proposals. These include procurement of state-of-the-art wheeled armoured fighting vehicles, mounted gun systems, futuristic infantry combat vehicles for the Army, next-generation radars and weapons for the Navy, and advanced airborne systems for the Indian Air Force. The massive list also features loitering munitions and long-range guided bombs.
The proposal also includes a new indigenous engine for the Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will be manufactured in India under the Make-I category. The Defence Ministry confirmed: “In a significant step towards ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in Defence, the DAC, under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for various capital acquisition proposals amounting to ₹1.03 lakh crore, of which, acquisition worth ₹99,300 crore (96% of total AoNs) will be sourced from domestic industries.”
Air Force to Get Indigenous Upgrades
In a significant move towards reducing dependency on foreign suppliers, the Indian Air Force will soon operate with an indigenous engine for the Su-30MKI aircraft. “The AoNs accorded include procurement of two types of Anti-tank Munitions namely, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type – 2 and Type-3,” said the Defence Ministry, adding that these will boost anti-armour capabilities and area denial operations in border zones.
Moreover, the DAC approved the development of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile System and an indigenous Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system, expected to significantly boost India’s surveillance and response capabilities.
Army and Navy Set for Combat-Ready Upgrades
The Indian Army will be equipped with cutting-edge wheeled armoured fighting vehicles and mounted gun systems that are expected to drastically improve mobility and firepower. The procurement also features futuristic infantry combat vehicles, which will be built with improved protection, firepower, and crew comfort.
The Navy, on the other hand, will gain capabilities with new-generation radars and sonars that offer better target detection and tracking. These are part of India’s push to boost maritime domain awareness and combat readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
This major defence upgrade comes in the backdrop of ongoing border challenges with both China and Pakistan, underlining the urgency of bolstering India’s deterrence posture. By earmarking nearly the entire procurement budget for domestic companies, the government has also given a clear signal to promote indigenous defence manufacturing.
