New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday granted initial approval for the procurement of military hardware worth around ₹79,000 crore, including advanced missiles, loitering munitions, long-range rockets, radars, and drone detection and interception systems, in a major push to strengthen the armed forces’ combat preparedness, the Defence Ministry said.
The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for leasing high-altitude, long-range remotely piloted aircraft systems to enhance the Indian Navy’s surveillance and operational reach across the vast Indian Ocean Region. Under India’s defence procurement framework, AoN marks the first formal step towards acquiring military equipment.
Among the key proposals cleared was the acquisition of indigenous Astra Mk-II beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, aimed at significantly enhancing the Indian Air Force’s ability to engage enemy aircraft from extended stand-off distances. The council also approved long-range guided rocket ammunition for the Army’s Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system, which will improve both range and precision in striking high-value targets.
The ministry noted that long-range precision weapons demonstrated their effectiveness during Operation Sindoor in May, when Indian forces carried out coordinated strikes on terror camps and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. During the operation, the Indian Air Force also targeted multiple Pakistani airbases and military facilities, underscoring the growing importance of precision-guided munitions in modern warfare.
The DAC also cleared the procurement of loitering munitions, lightweight low-level radars, and integrated drone detection and interdiction systems for the Army. These systems are intended to counter emerging aerial threats, particularly small and low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles, and to protect critical assets in both tactical battle zones and hinterland areas.
For the Air Force, approvals included an automatic take-off and landing recording system, a full mission simulator for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A, and SPICE-1000 long-range guidance kits. According to the ministry, these acquisitions will improve flight safety, enhance pilot training in a cost-effective manner, and strengthen long-range precision strike capabilities.
The Navy is set to receive bollard pull tugs to assist warships and submarines during berthing and manoeuvring in confined waters, along with high-frequency software-defined radios to bolster secure long-range communications. The proposed leasing of high-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft will further enable continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, ensuring credible maritime domain awareness in a strategically sensitive region.
Officials said the approvals reflect India’s focus on strengthening indigenous defence capabilities and addressing evolving security challenges, particularly amid increasing strategic competition and military activity in the Indian Ocean Region.
