In a decisive move to enhance national security capabilities, India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved military procurements worth ₹1.3 lakh crore, paving the way for indigenous acquisition of advanced surface-to-air missiles, infantry combat vehicles, and critical equipment to strengthen the country’s land and air defence readiness.
Key Approvals: Strengthening India’s Defence Muscle
The approvals, cleared under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, focus on indigenisation, self-reliance, and modernisation of the armed forces, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision.
Major acquisitions cleared include:
- Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) systems for the Indian Air Force and Army
- Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICVs) with enhanced protection systems
- Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs) based on existing battle tank platforms
- Utility vehicles and next-generation logistic systems to improve troop mobility
- Critical avionics and radar systems for surveillance and electronic warfare superiority
Focus On Indigenisation Under ‘Buy Indian’ Category
Defence ministry officials emphasised that over 98% of the total procurement value will be sourced from Indian companies, with critical technologies designed, developed, and manufactured under domestic programs.
This decision reflects India’s strategic push to:
- Reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, especially for ammunition, missiles, and critical combat platforms.
- Create domestic manufacturing jobs and boost defence exports to achieve the $25 billion target by 2025.
- Upgrade operational readiness in the context of evolving threats along both western and eastern borders.
Breakup Of Approved Projects
| Category | Equipment | Estimated Cost (₹ crore) | Strategic Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Defence | LRSAM systems | 55,000 | Counter aerial threats, drones, cruise missiles |
| Armoured Vehicles | ICVs, ARVs | 40,000 | Strengthen mechanised infantry and recovery capabilities |
| Utility & Logistics | Light and heavy vehicles, bridging systems | 20,000 | Enhance rapid troop mobility in border areas |
| Surveillance & EW | Radars, avionics upgrades | 15,000 | Bolster surveillance and electronic warfare |
Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) Systems
The highlight of the procurement is the LRSAM project valued at approximately ₹55,000 crore, aimed at equipping the Indian Army and Air Force with advanced air defence systems capable of neutralising:
- Fighter jets
- Attack helicopters
- UAVs
- Cruise missiles
These systems will be developed under a joint design and production framework between DRDO and Indian defence companies, ensuring critical technology transfer and domestic manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Infantry Combat Vehicles For Mechanised Infantry Modernisation
The DAC has also cleared procurement of advanced ICVs integrated with night fighting capabilities, anti-tank guided missile systems, and enhanced ballistic protection. These vehicles will replace older BMP-2 fleets and are expected to be produced by Indian private sector manufacturers in collaboration with defence PSUs.
Officials noted that indigenous ICV manufacturing will generate thousands of jobs across auto components, defence electronics, and heavy engineering sectors.
Armoured Recovery Vehicles For Battlefield Operations
To improve operational maintenance of tanks in rugged terrains, approval was granted for ARVs based on main battle tank platforms, enhancing battlefield tank recovery and repair efficiency, especially along the northern borders with difficult terrain conditions.
Logistics Vehicles And Bridging Systems
In addition to combat vehicles, the DAC cleared procurement of next-generation utility vehicles, heavy load carriers, and modular bridging systems to enable rapid troop mobilisation and supply chain operations in high altitude and riverine border areas.
Surveillance, Electronic Warfare & Radar Systems
Another crucial decision involves acquisition of:
- High-resolution radars for aerial surveillance
- Electronic warfare systems for communication jamming and intelligence
- Avionics upgrades for fighter jets and helicopters
These procurements are aimed at maintaining technological superiority in reconnaissance, air dominance, and tactical electronic warfare operations, a key area given recent regional conflicts globally.
Defence Minister’s Statement
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government’s focus on self-reliance:
“These approvals reaffirm our commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat. Indigenous acquisition will not only bolster our defence preparedness but also catalyse growth in the Indian defence manufacturing ecosystem.”
Industry Impact: Positive Outlook For Defence Companies
Defence analysts suggest that this procurement approval will:
- Trigger order inflows for companies like Bharat Electronics, Bharat Dynamics, L&T Defence, Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Defence, and DRDO’s production partners.
- Create an estimated 40,000 direct and indirect jobs across manufacturing, supply chain, and services sectors.
- Enhance India’s global defence manufacturing reputation, with possible future exports to friendly nations in Africa, ASEAN, and West Asia.
Strategic Implications Amid Regional Tensions
The timing of these approvals is significant as India continues to strengthen its preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. Defence experts note:
- LRSAM systems will significantly improve India’s layered air defence capability, complementing existing Akash and S-400 missile systems.
- Modern ICVs will provide high mobility armoured protection for infantry battalions, crucial in offensive and defensive border operations.
Next Steps
Following the DAC’s approval:
- Request For Proposals (RFPs) will be issued within 3 months, inviting bids from eligible Indian defence manufacturers under the Buy Indian – IDDM category.
- Technical and commercial evaluations are expected to be fast-tracked under the revised Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020) guidelines.
- Contracts are likely to be awarded by early 2026, with phased delivery schedules spanning the next 5-7 years.
Conclusion
The approval of military procurements worth ₹1.3 lakh crore marks one of India’s largest indigenous defence investments, underscoring a strategic shift towards self-reliance, advanced warfighting capabilities, and employment generation through domestic manufacturing. As the armed forces gear up for modernised readiness, these acquisitions will strengthen India’s defence posture amid evolving regional security challenges.
