The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 7 September 2026 gave Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to acquisition proposals worth ₹1.10 lakh crore. About 98% of the value will go to the domestic defence industry, signalling a strong push for indigenisation.
Key Developments
- Army: procurement of CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, HMVs, self‑propelled mechanical mine layers (MMLs), advanced light helicopters (ALHs), trawl tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System.
- Navy: approval for Arudhra radars and the design, development and procurement of marine gas turbines (MGTs).
- Air Force: acquisition of systems to boost fighter, transport and helicopter capabilities, including ground‑based multi‑purpose jammers (GBMPJ) and the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) for RFID‑based identity management.
Important Facts
The approved projects cover a wide spectrum of capabilities:
- CBRN reconnaissance enhances survivability against weapons of mass destruction.
- HMVs and MMLs improve operational mobility and rapid mine‑laying in high‑altitude or rugged zones.
- ALHs provide versatile air support for both Army and Air Force missions.
- Arudhra radars will modernise naval air surveillance, while MGTs aim to cut foreign dependence for warship propulsion.
- GBMPJ will enable electronic warfare by jamming enemy radars, a critical component of modern combat.
- DEFSAC replaces paper‑based passes with secure RFID smart cards, improving security and logistics.
Relevance for UPSC
These approvals illustrate three core themes of the UPSC syllabus:
- Security and Defence Policy (GS1): Understanding the role of the DAC and AoN in shaping India’s strategic procurement.
- Indigenisation and Make‑in‑India (GS3): The emphasis on domestic industry aligns with economic policy and self‑reliance goals.
- Technology and Modernisation (GS4): Adoption of advanced platforms like CBRN vehicles and electronic warfare systems reflects the evolving nature of warfare.
Way Forward
To sustain the momentum, the government should:
- Strengthen R&D ecosystems to ensure timely delivery of indigenous systems.
- Facilitate public‑private partnerships for faster technology transfer.
- Monitor implementation to avoid cost overruns and ensure operational readiness.
Overall, the DAC’s decisions on 7 September 2026 mark a decisive step towards a self‑reliant, technologically advanced defence posture.