New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved proposals worth about Rs3.60 lakh crore on Thursday. The approvals grant Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for major procurements across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
For the Indian Air Force (IAF), the council cleared the procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) (Rafale), Combat Missiles, and an Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS). The MRFA fleet will strengthen the IAF’s air dominance capability across conflict scenarios and improve long-range strike capacity. Most of these aircraft will be produced in India.
The approved Combat Missiles will expand stand-off attack capability with high precision and deep strike reach. The AS-HAPS platform will support persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It will also assist electronic intelligence gathering, telecommunications, and remote sensing for military use.
For the Indian Army, the DAC cleared procurement of Anti-Tank Mines (Vibhav) and overhaul of vehicle platforms for Armoured Recovery Vehicles, T-72 tanks, and Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-II). The Vibhav mines will serve as anti-tank obstacles to slow advancing enemy mechanised forces. Upgrading the vehicle platforms will extend equipment life and maintain operational readiness, according to an official statement.
The Indian Navy received approval for a 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine-based Electric Power Generator and additional P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft. The power generators will be developed under the Make-I category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020. This move will reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and support self-reliance in naval power systems.
For the Indian Coast Guard, the council approved the procurement of Electro-Optical/Infra-Red systems for Dornier aircraft. These systems will improve maritime surveillance efficiency.
Separately, the Ministry of Defence signed a Rs2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, for eight Dornier 228 aircraft with operational role equipment for the Coast Guard. The agreement falls under the Buy (Indian) category. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh witnessed the signing in New Delhi on Thursday.
