In a major push to strengthen India’s defence preparedness, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth nearly ₹52,000 crore. The approvals are aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force while accelerating the country’s military modernisation programme.
A notable feature of the latest approvals is the strong emphasis on counter-drone warfare and layered air defence. The Army is set to receive the AKASH TARANG Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Electronic Warfare System, designed to detect, jam, and neutralise hostile drones, reflecting the growing importance of anti-drone capabilities in modern conflicts.
THE DAC
also approved the procurement of Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) systems, Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) weapon systems, Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (V-SHORADS), Active Protection Systems (APS) for tanks, and jet-powered kamikaze drone systems. These acquisitions are intended to improve battlefield survivability, precision strike capability, and protection against aerial threats.
For the Navy, the approved proposals include advanced unmanned surveillance and maritime systems, highlighting India’s increasing focus on maritime domain awareness and securing the Indian Ocean Region. The acquisitions are expected to strengthen coastal surveillance and improve operational flexibility during naval missions.
Defence officials
said the approvals align with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with a significant portion of the equipment expected to be sourced from domestic defence manufacturers. The move is expected to encourage indigenous research, support the private defence industry, and reduce dependence on imported military hardware.
The approvals come at a time when the armed forces are adapting to rapidly evolving security challenges, including drone warfare, precision-guided weapons, and network-centric operations. Defence planners believe these acquisitions will help build a more agile and technology-driven military capable of responding to both conventional and emerging threats
