New Delhi: India’s ₹52,000 crore defence acquisition has received a major boost after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved several key military procurement proposals. The approvals aim to modernise the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force with advanced anti-drone systems, missiles, surveillance platforms and next-generation defence technologies. The decisions were announced by the Ministry of Defence on July 3, 2026.
Details of ₹52,000 Crore Defence Acquisition
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for multiple capital acquisition proposals worth around ₹52,000 crore.
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AoN is the first official approval in India’s defence procurement process. It confirms that the armed forces need the equipment before the government begins the purchase process.
Indian Army to Receive Advanced Weapons and Anti-Drone Systems
The Indian Army received approval for several important defence systems, including:
- AKASH TARANG Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Electronic Warfare System
- Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)
- Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM)
- Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS)
- Active Protection System for tanks
- Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System
According to the Ministry of Defence:
- AKASH TARANG will protect Army formations from enemy drones.
- MPATGM will improve the infantry’s ability to destroy enemy armoured vehicles.
- MRSAM will strengthen medium-range air defence against aerial threats.
- V-SHORADS will improve protection against low-flying aircraft and drones using multi-spectral sensing technology.
- The Active Protection System will increase the survivability of tanks.
- The Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System will provide better electronic warfare capability while remaining cost-effective.
Indian Navy to Boost Maritime Surveillance
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved procurement of:
- Multi Influence Ground Mine (MIGM)
- Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS)
- Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion Systems
The Ministry of Defence said the MIGM will help restrict enemy naval movement.
The NSUAS will improve surveillance and situational awareness through advanced sensors.
The LBTF will support testing of electric motors and propulsion systems for future naval platforms.
Indian Air Force Gets High-Altitude Surveillance Platform
The Indian Air Force will procure a Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) along with other approved systems. The FW-HAPS platform is designed to provide long-duration:
- Intelligence
- Surveillance
- Reconnaissance (ISR)
- Telecommunications
- Remote sensing
These capabilities will improve monitoring and communication over large operational areas.
₹52,000 Crore Defence Acquisition: Focus on Modern Military Capabilities
The latest approvals highlight India’s continued investment in:
- Anti-drone warfare
- Air defence systems
- Missile technology
- Electronic warfare
- Unmanned aerial systems
- Intelligence and surveillance platforms
These acquisitions are expected to improve the operational readiness of all three defence services and strengthen India’s overall national security.
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