NEW DELHI: In a major push to modernize India’s military architecture, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) on Friday for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 52,000 crore.
The sweeping approvals are aimed at drastically strengthening the combat readiness and operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces through the induction of advanced, indigenous, and next-generation defence technologies.
Major Firepower and Tech Upgrades for the Army
The Indian Army is set to receive a massive influx of cutting-edge defensive and offensive systems specifically designed to counter modern warfare threats. The DAC cleared the procurement of several high-profile platforms:
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AKASH TARANG & Kamikaze Drones: The AKASH TARANG electronic warfare system will provide robust protection against hostile Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Simultaneously, the induction of jet-based kamikaze drones will grant the Army enhanced electronic warfare capabilities coupled with greater lethality, survivability, and cost-effectiveness.
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Anti-Tank and Air Defence Missiles: The infantry’s ability to counter mechanized threats will be heavily bolstered by Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) systems. For aerial threats, the council cleared Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems and Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (V-SHORADS) equipped with multi-spectral sensing technology.
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Tank Survivability: To protect armored assets, the Army will procure a new Active Protection System, strengthening the defensive mechanisms and overall survivability of its battle tanks.
Enhancing Naval and Aerial Dominance
The approvals also bring critical capability enhancements to the maritime and aerospace domains.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of:
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Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM): Designed to heavily restrict an adversary’s freedom of maneuver at sea.
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Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS): Equipped with advanced sensors to significantly expand the Navy’s maritime situational awareness.
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Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF): A dedicated facility to evaluate motors and electric propulsion systems for future naval platforms.
For the Indian Air Force, the council cleared the procurement of Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (FW-HAPS). These highly advanced, long-endurance platforms act as “satellites in the atmosphere,” designed to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), alongside critical telecommunications and remote sensing capabilities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, these strategic acquisitions reflect a targeted approach to preparing the armed forces for multi-domain, futuristic warfare scenarios while remaining self-reliant.
