New Delhi, Sep 2026 : India has approved a massive defence acquisition package worth nearly Rs 1.10 lakh crore, with around 98 per cent of the planned procurements to be sourced from Indian industry, marking a major push towards self-reliance and strengthening the country's domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The proposals were cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on September 7. The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) granted under the approvals covers capital acquisition proposals for the Army, Navy and Air Force, with a wide range of systems aimed at enhancing operational preparedness across land, sea and air domains.
The scale of the package represents one of the significant indigenous procurement drives under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The emphasis on domestic sourcing is expected to strengthen India's defence industrial base while reducing dependence on overseas suppliers and improving resilience in critical military supply chains.
For the Indian Army, the approved acquisitions include Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles designed to detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by hazardous agents. The capability is expected to improve the survivability and operational effectiveness of troops in unconventional warfare and contaminated battlefield environments.
The Army will also receive High Mobility Vehicles to strengthen logistics and mobility, particularly in difficult terrain. These vehicles are expected to facilitate the rapid movement of personnel, equipment and supplies while improving logistical resilience.
The DAC has also approved Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers, providing the Army with a faster and more responsive mine-laying capability in challenging operational environments. Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge Systems have also been cleared to support battlefield mobility and enable fighting formations to negotiate obstacles and water crossings.
Advanced Light Helicopters will further strengthen the capabilities of the Army and Air Force, supporting a range of missions across India's diverse terrain.
For the Indian Navy, the acquisition plan includes Arudhra Radars to replace ageing Air Route Surveillance Radars at Naval Air Stations. The modern radar systems are expected to significantly enhance surveillance and monitoring of maritime airspace.
Another important approval covers the design, development and procurement of Marine Gas Turbines. The move is particularly significant for naval self-reliance as indigenous propulsion technology could reduce dependence on foreign vendors and strengthen India's ability to support the lifecycle requirements of its warships domestically.
The Indian Air Force will also benefit from the latest approvals, which are aimed at strengthening the war-fighting capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport platforms and helicopters.
Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers have been approved to enhance electronic warfare capabilities by enabling effective jamming of adversary radar systems. The induction of such systems is expected to provide Indian forces with greater flexibility in contested electromagnetic environments.
The Defence Forces Secure Access Card system has also been cleared. It will replace paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with an interoperable RFID-based smart-card system, strengthening access control and security across defence establishments.
The latest approvals form part of India's broader military modernisation programme, which includes efforts to upgrade existing platforms and develop indigenous technologies. Initiatives such as the planned modification of Su-30MKI fighter aircraft to carry longer-range Russian air-to-air missiles and domestic testing of advanced weapon systems further underline the country's focus on enhancing combat capabilities.
The breadth of the Rs 1.10 lakh crore package reflects a comprehensive modernisation strategy covering CBRN protection, battlefield mobility, mine warfare, bridging, electronic warfare, air surveillance and naval propulsion.
Beyond the immediate acquisition of military hardware, the heavy emphasis on Indian industry is expected to create opportunities for domestic manufacturers, technology companies and start-ups. It could also encourage greater investment in research, development and advanced defence technologies.
The approvals therefore represent more than a conventional equipment procurement exercise. By combining military modernisation with a strong domestic sourcing mandate, India is seeking to build a technologically capable and increasingly self-reliant armed force while reducing vulnerabilities associated with import-dependent defence supply chains.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
