India Clears ₹1.10 Lakh Crore Defence Acquisitions for Army, Navy and Air Force

India has approved a major new round of defence acquisition proposals worth around ₹1.10 lakh crore, covering the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The approvals are aimed at strengthening operational preparedness, improving mobility and surveillance, and introducing newer technologies across the armed forces.

The decisions were taken by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The council granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to a range of proposals, marking an important stage in the government’s defence procurement process.

A major feature of the latest approvals is the strong emphasis on domestic procurement. According to the Ministry of Defence, around 98% of the acquisitions covered by these approvals are expected to be sourced from Indian industry. The move is expected to provide further opportunities for Indian defence manufacturers while supporting the country’s broader push towards self-reliance in military equipment.

Army to receive mobility, engineering and CBRN equipment

The Indian Army will be among the principal beneficiaries of the latest procurement decisions.

The approved equipment includes CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, high-mobility vehicles, self-propelled mechanical mine layers, Advanced Light Helicopters, trawl tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System.

CBRN reconnaissance vehicles are designed to identify and monitor areas affected by chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contamination. Their deployment is expected to strengthen the Army’s ability to operate in environments where such threats may be present.

High-mobility vehicles will support troop movement, logistics and operations in difficult terrain. Meanwhile, mechanical mine-laying systems are intended to provide the Army with a faster method of establishing minefields in challenging operational environments.

The procurement of Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) is also significant because these platforms can support missions across different terrains and operational conditions.

The approved engineering equipment includes trawl tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System. These systems are intended to help fighting formations cross obstacles and difficult terrain during military operations, improving the mobility of ground forces.

Navy gets new radar and propulsion capabilities

For the Indian Navy, the DAC has approved the acquisition of Arudhra radars along with the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines.

The Arudhra radar system will be used to replace existing air-route surveillance radars at various naval air stations. Improved surveillance infrastructure is expected to strengthen the Navy’s ability to monitor airspace around its operating locations.

The approval for Marine Gas Turbine development is also strategically important. Marine gas turbines are used as propulsion systems aboard warships, and greater domestic capability in this area could reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

The decision therefore combines an immediate equipment requirement with longer-term efforts to build domestic technological capabilities for naval platforms.

Air Force focus on fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters

The Indian Air Force will receive acquisitions intended to strengthen the capabilities of its fighter aircraft, transport fleet and helicopters.

The DAC has also cleared the procurement of Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJ). These systems are designed to interfere with adversary radar operations, adding another layer to India's electronic warfare capabilities.

Electronic warfare has become increasingly important in modern military operations, where radar, communications and other electronic systems play a central role in detecting and responding to threats.

Another approved system is the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC). The system is intended to replace existing paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with an interoperable smart-card system based on radio-frequency identification technology.

The change is expected to modernise access and identification procedures across defence establishments while improving the management of personnel credentials.

Big push for Indian defence industry

The scale of the latest approvals highlights the government’s continuing focus on modernising the armed forces while increasing the participation of domestic manufacturers.

Although an AoN represents an important administrative approval, it does not mean that all the contracts have been immediately signed. The proposals will proceed through subsequent procurement stages before final orders are placed.

The emphasis on Indian industry, however, makes the latest announcement particularly significant for the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. With nearly 98% of the approved procurement value expected to come from Indian companies, the programme could generate demand for equipment manufacturers, technology developers and other defence-sector suppliers.

The latest decision also follows several other large defence procurement approvals during 2026. In March, the DAC had cleared proposals worth about ₹2.38 lakh crore, covering systems including air-defence equipment, artillery, transport aircraft, the S-400 system and remotely piloted strike aircraft.

Strengthening military readiness

The ₹1.10 lakh crore package spans land mobility, battlefield engineering, surveillance, aviation, electronic warfare and naval propulsion. Rather than focusing on a single category of weaponry, the approvals address several areas that contribute to the overall operational capability of the armed forces.

For India, the programme represents a combination of military modernisation and domestic defence manufacturing. The increased use of Indian industry is expected to support the development of local capabilities while helping the armed forces gain access to equipment suited to their operational requirements.

As the approved proposals move towards subsequent procurement stages, the focus will now shift to finalising specifications, vendors, contracts and deliveries. The latest DAC decision nevertheless represents a substantial step in India’s ongoing effort to upgrade its military capabilities and strengthen the country’s defence-industrial base.