DAC clears defence procurement proposals worth ₹2.12 lakh crore
DAC clears defence procurement proposals worth ₹2.12 lakh crore left Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. File ANI ANI ANI New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks during the launch of Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee Edition 2026 of Blue Helmet Odyssey at the Indian Army Commanders’ Conference, in New Delhi on Friday.
(@rajnathsingh X/ANI Photo) 82% to be sourced from domestic industry; the approvals cover a wide range of military platforms, weapons and surveillance systems aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force New Delhi The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday (October 26, 2026) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore for the three services, with about 82% of the procurements to be sourced from the domestic industry.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the approvals cover a wide range of military platforms, weapons and surveillance systems aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities, mobility and combat preparedness of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Rajnath Singh to lead Indian team at ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Philippines Rajnath Singh to lead Indian team at ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Philippines The Defence Minister is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts from participating countries to review ongoing defence cooperation and explore avenues for further strengthening strategic partnerships Rajnath Singh to lead Indian team at ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Philippines storyline 1 For the Indian Army, the DAC cleared proposals for the procurement of High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Tracked Gun Systems, Gun Shot Response Systems (GSRS), Light Multi-Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), Platform-Based Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), long-range unmanned aerial systems, surveillance UAVs, Integrated Surveillance and Strike Systems and Long Range Kamikaze Drone Systems.
The HMVs are expected to strengthen logistics and mobility in challenging terrain, while the self-propelled tracked gun systems will provide mechanised formations with matching mobility and firepower. The GSRS will act as a force multiplier by providing real-time situational awareness. The LMRHs will be used by the Army and the Indian Air Force for reconnaissance and surveillance, combat operations, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
The VSHORADS will enhance the Army’s capability to engage emerging small-sized aerial threats, while the platform-based C-UAS will improve the survivability of tanks on the modern battlefield. The surveillance and drone systems are expected to strengthen the Army’s reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting capabilities. Rajnath Singh stresses need for long-term vision, flexible strategies for the Army Rajnath Singh stresses need for long-term vision, flexible strategies for the Army Defence Minister calls for integrated approach to modern warfare and emphases that land operations and ground forces would remain indispensable despite the growing significance of air, maritime, space, and cyber domains Rajnath Singh stresses need for long-term vision, flexible strategies for the Army storyline 1 For the Indian Navy, the council accorded AoN for the procurement of Active Offboard Decoy Systems (AODS) and other major naval platforms.
The AODS will strengthen the Navy’s anti-missile defence capabilities, particularly against modern anti-ship missiles. The indigenously designed and constructed naval platforms will incorporate modern warfare capabilities and enhance the Navy’s overall combat potential. For the Indian Air Force, approvals were accorded for helicopters, air defence systems, weapons and Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems to strengthen its air defence and war-fighting capabilities.
The procurement of Special Utility Helicopters will address the IAF’s air transport requirements, while the X-Band Doppler Weather Radar Systems will provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas. The DAC’s approvals are expected to provide a significant boost to domestic defence manufacturing, with nearly 82% of the total procurement value earmarked for domestic industry.
