DAC clears Rs 52,000 crore defence acquisitions, boosts drone and air defence capabilities

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence procurement proposals worth about Rs 52,000 crore, clearing a broad package of acquisitions aimed at strengthening the Army, Navy and Air Force with advanced air defence, anti-drone, surveillance and unmanned warfare capabilities.

The approvals include a range of indigenous and next-generation systems for the three services, with a strong focus on enhancing operational readiness against evolving aerial and mechanised threats.

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For the Indian Army, the DAC approved the procurement of the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Electronic Warfare System 'AKASH TARANG', Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Systems, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Weapon System, Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS), Active Protection System for Tanks and Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System.

According to the Defence Ministry, AKASH TARANG will provide effective anti-UAV protection to Army formations, while the MPATGM will enhance the infantry's ability to counter mechanised threats. The MRSAM system is designed to provide medium-range air defence against a range of stand-off aerial threats.

The V-SHORADS, equipped with multi-spectral sensing, will improve resilience against counter-measures and strengthen the Army's air defence capability. The Active Protection System is intended to enhance tank survivability by improving defensive capabilities against incoming threats, while the Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System will bolster electronic warfare capability with greater lethality, survivability and cost effectiveness.

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For the Indian Navy, the council approved the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mine (MIGM), Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS) and the establishment of a Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion Systems.

The ministry said the MIGM would help deny freedom of manoeuvre to adversaries, while the NSUAS, equipped with advanced sensors, would strengthen the Navy's situational awareness. The proposed testing facility will support the evaluation of motors and associated propulsion systems for Indian naval platforms.

For the Indian Air Force, the DAC approved the procurement of a Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS), along with other proposals.

The ministry said the FW-HAPS platform will provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), telecommunications and remote sensing capabilities, significantly enhancing the Air Force's operational reach and endurance.

The Acceptance of Necessity is the first stage in India's capital acquisition process and provides in-principle approval for the procurement of military equipment before the acquisition moves to subsequent stages, including tendering and contract negotiations.