NEW DELHI (India CSR): The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposals worth around Rs 52,000 crore to strengthen the combat readiness of the Indian Armed Forces.
The approvals, granted on July 3, 2026, include key procurement proposals for the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The council accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), which is the in-principle administrative approval for defence acquisition projects.
For the Indian Army, the approved proposals include Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Electronic Warfare System ‘AKASH TARANG’, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile Systems, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile Weapon System, Very Short Range Air Defence System, Active Protection System for Tanks and Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System.
The AKASH TARANG system will help provide effective protection against enemy drones. The Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile system will improve the infantry’s ability to counter mechanised threats. The Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile system will strengthen air defence against different aerial threats.
The Very Short Range Air Defence System, equipped with multi-spectral sensing, will improve the Army’s ability to counter enemy air threats. The Active Protection System will enhance the survivability of tanks by improving their defence mechanism. The Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System will provide stronger electronic warfare capability with greater lethality and survivability.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mine, Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System and the setting up of a Land Based Testing Facility for Electric Propulsion System.
The Multi Influence Ground Mine will help restrict the movement of adversaries, while the Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System, fitted with advanced sensors, will improve the Navy’s situational awareness. The Land Based Testing Facility will support testing requirements for motors and propulsion systems of Indian naval assets.
For the Indian Air Force, approval was given for the procurement of Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite and other proposals. The system will support persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, telecommunication and remote sensing requirements of the Air Force.
The approvals are expected to enhance India’s defence preparedness by strengthening air defence, anti-drone capability, tank protection, naval surveillance, propulsion testing and high-altitude surveillance capabilities.
(India CSR)
