The Government of India on Thursday gave the green light to significant defence procurements and contracts totalling more than ₹3.62 lakh crore, aimed at strengthening the combat capabilities of the armed forces and advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in military hardware.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals estimated at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore. These approvals span the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard (ICG), focusing on modernising equipment, enhancing deterrence, and promoting indigenous manufacturing.
The most significant approval is for the procurement of Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), specifically the Rafale, for Indian Air Force. The DAC also approved the AoN for combat missiles and Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (AS-HAPS).
The majority of the MRFA are to be manufactured in India, bolstering air dominance, long-range offensive strikes, and persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
As per a statement issued by the Defence Ministry, the Combat Missiles will enhance the stand-off ground attack capability with deep strike power and very high accuracy. And the AS-HAPS will be utilised towards carrying out persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Electronic Intelligence, telecommunication and remote sensing for military purposes.
For the Indian Army, the DAC cleared the procurement of Vibhav anti-tank mines to serve as obstacles against enemy mechanised advances, as well as the overhaul of platforms for Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 tanks, and BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicles to extend their service life and maintain operational readiness.
The Indian Navy secured approvals for a 04 MW Marine Gas Turbine-based Electric Power Generator under the Make-I category, designed to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and foster self-reliance in naval power generation. The DAC also approved procurement of additional Boeing P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft to significantly enhance anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and strike capabilities of the naval force.
The Indian Coast Guard will benefit from an Electro-Optical/Infra-Red system for its Dornier aircraft, improving maritime surveillance effectiveness.
In addition to these approvals, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth ₹2,312 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of eight Dornier 228 aircraft, complete with operational role equipment, to the Indian Coast Guard under the Buy (Indian) category. The agreement, finalised in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, underscores the government’s commitment to indigenous production through HAL’s Transport Aircraft Division in Kanpur.
This acquisition is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment, strengthen HAL’s production ecosystem, support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and ancillary industries, and create ongoing opportunities in maintenance, repair, overhaul, and lifecycle technical support.
