New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has released the Draft Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026, a major policy initiative aimed at accelerating indigenisation and strengthening defence self-reliance in India.
This draft replaces the earlier 2020 procedure and lays out the roadmap for capital procurement of military equipment, emphasising domestic design, development and manufacturing while seeking stakeholder feedback.
What Is the Draft Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026?
The Draft Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026 is a government document released by the Ministry of Defence to outline how the Indian armed forces will procure major defence equipment and systems. It covers planning, evaluation, contracting and approvals under capital expenditure and is set to replace the existing DAP-2020 framework.
The MoD has made the draft document and its handbook available on its official website and is inviting comments from industry stakeholders and the public until March 3, 2026.
What are the Objectives of Draft Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026
The draft DAP-2026 has several strategic goals:
1. Prioritising Indigenous Capability
A central aim of the new policy is to prioritise the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, which means equipment that is Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured. This supports the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of self-reliance in defence production.
2. “Owned by India” Approach
Unlike earlier policies focused primarily on manufacturing in India, the draft emphasises that India should not only build equipment but own the technology and intellectual property (IP) associated with it. This includes IPR, source codes, core technical design data and upgradable system architecture.
3. Faster and Smarter Procurement
The draft procedure proposes streamlined acquisition pathways to shorten procurement timelines through:
- Delegation of decision-making power;
- Digitisation and automation of acquisition processes;
- Tailored pathways for systems with short technology cycles;
- Spiral design and iterative capability upgrades.
These changes aim to reduce bureaucratic delay, encourage research, and ensure quicker induction of modern technologies.
4. Inclusive Industry Participation
DAP-2026 proposes easing financial and eligibility criteria so that smaller firms, startups and MSMEs in defence can participate in defence contracts. This expands domestic industry involvement beyond traditional defence manufacturers.
Importance of Draft Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026
A major transformation in India’s defence strategy is a shift from merely importing equipment or assembling foreign systems to owning the technology behind them. This means Indian firms may retain critical design and technical data, reducing long-term reliance on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Aligning with Global Realities
Modern warfare and geopolitics demand rapid technology adaption — from AI and autonomous systems to advanced sensors and drones. The draft recognises these changing geostrategic imperatives and aligns procurement policies accordingly.
Strengthening National Security
By institutionalising a preference for indigenous design and IP ownership, DAP-2026 is intended to make India’s military supply chains more secure and resilient, reducing vulnerabilities from foreign dependencies.
Stakeholder Feedback and Next Steps
The Ministry is actively soliciting comments, suggestions and written feedback from defence firms, industry bodies, research institutions and other stakeholders. This consultation process is open until 03 March 2026.
The government will analyse these inputs and revise the draft before finalisation. Once approved, DAP-2026 will be formally implemented and integrated with the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, which covers revenue head purchases and maintenance.
