New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, on September 7, 2026, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or in-principle administrative approval, to various acquisition proposals for the Defence Forces at an estimated cost of about Rs 1,10,000 crore.
The Defence Acquisition Council approved a range of capital acquisition proposals covering the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, with procurements aimed at enhancing operational capabilities, mobility, war-fighting preparedness and indigenous defence manufacturing.
Defence Acquisition Council Approves Equipment for Indian Army
For the Indian Army, the Defence Acquisition Council granted approval for the procurement of Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMV), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers (MML), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge System.
The CBRN Recce Vehicles will be capable of detecting, identifying, monitoring and marking areas contaminated with CBRN agents.
The High Mobility Vehicles will enhance operational capabilities, logistic support and mobility in challenging terrains.
The Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers will achieve the desired operational capability in terms of fast and responsive minelaying in difficult terrains.
The Defence Acquisition Council also cleared the procurement of Advanced Light Helicopters, which will execute complex missions across all terrains and operational situations for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
The Trawl Tanks and Sarvatra Bridge System will be utilised to provide composite crossings to fighting formations during operations in varied terrains.
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Defence Acquisition Council Clears Naval Acquisition Proposals
For the Indian Navy, the Defence Acquisition Council accorded AoN for the procurement of Arudhra Radars, along with the design and development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines (MGT).
The Arudhra Radar will replace the existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations.
The Marine Gas Turbine, which is a warship propulsion system, will reduce dependency on foreign vendors.
IAF Proposals to Enhance War-Fighting Capability
For the Indian Air Force, the Defence Acquisition Council approved various proposals aimed at enhancing the war-fighting capability of fighters, transports and helicopters.
Approval was also accorded for procuring Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammer (GBMPJ) and installing the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) System.
The GBMPJ will provide effective jamming against the radars of adversaries.
The DEFSAC System will replace existing paper-based Identity Cards, Passes and Permits with an interoperable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based smart cards system.
98% Procurement to Come From Indian Industry
A major feature of the approvals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council is the high share of procurement from domestic industry.
Of the total AoNs accorded, approximately 98% of procurements will be made from the Indian Industry.
The approvals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council cover equipment and systems for the Army, Navy and Air Force, including surveillance, mobility, mine-laying, aviation, bridging, radar, propulsion, electronic warfare and secure identification capabilities.
