New Delhi: In a significant push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals valued at approximately Rs 1.05 lakh crore. As per an official statement, all these procurements will be sourced indigenously, further strengthening India’s commitment to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence production.
Key land and air systems cleared
The approvals cover a wide spectrum of critical defence requirements. Among the major items cleared for procurement are Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare Systems, Integrated Common Inventory Management Systems for the Tri-Services, and Surface-to-Air Missiles, the statement said. These systems are aimed at enhancing the mobility, air defence capabilities, and logistics efficiency of the Indian Armed Forces, ultimately boosting their overall operational preparedness.
Maritime security capabilities to grow
In a strong show of support for maritime security, the DAC also accorded AoNs for the acquisition of Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Super Rapid Gun Mounts, and Submersible Autonomous Vessels. These systems are expected to significantly mitigate the risks faced by both naval and merchant vessels in hostile or sensitive maritime zones.
Shifting battlefield priorities: Precision, speed, and air superiority
Modern warfare is increasingly dominated by air and naval power, with precision strikes, drones, and long-range missile systems playing critical roles, as evidenced by recent global conflicts and India’s own ‘Operation Sindoor’. To stay ahead in this evolving landscape, India is heavily investing in state-of-the-art military technology across land, sea, and air.
IAF’s fighter fleet faces a shortfall
With only 31–32 operational squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 41–42, India’s air defence preparedness has been under scrutiny. To close this gap, the government is accelerating-
Acquisition of 5th-generation fighter jets
Production and deployment of indigenous Tejas multirole fighters (expected by year-end)
Upgrades to the IAF’s most crucial combat platform- the Su-30MKI
