The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday accorded Acceptance of Necessity for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 52,000 crore, marking one of the more significant procurement decisions taken this year to bolster the operational readiness of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The approvals span a wide range of platforms, including anti-drone systems, missiles, kamikaze drones, naval unmanned aerial systems and high-altitude surveillance technology, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
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For the Indian Army, the Council cleared six distinct procurement proposals aimed at enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities. Chief among these is the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Electronic Warfare System, named “Akash Tarang,” which is designed to provide protection to Army formations against unmanned aerial threats. The system is intended to counter the growing use of drones in modern combat, a concern that has taken on heightened importance following recent regional conflicts where drone warfare has played a decisive role.
Alongside this, the Army will procure Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile systems, intended to strengthen infantry capability against mechanised threats from adversary forces. The Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile weapon system was also approved, which the Ministry stated would provide medium-range air defence against a range of aerial threats. In addition, the Council cleared the Very Short Range Air Defence System, equipped with multi-spectral sensing technology, which the Ministry said would improve resilience against countermeasures and strengthen overall air defence capability.
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Two further approvals for the Army focus on survivability and offensive electronic warfare capacity. The Active Protection System for tanks is expected to improve the defensive mechanisms and survivability of armoured vehicles on the battlefield. The Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System, meanwhile, is intended to provide enhanced electronic warfare capability, combining greater lethality with survivability in what the Ministry described as a cost-effective manner.
Navy and Air Force Approvals Focus on Surveillance and Maritime Denial
The Indian Navy received clearance for three separate proposals under this round of approvals. The Multi Influence Ground Mine, or MIGM, was approved to enhance the Navy’s capability to deny freedom of manoeuvre to adversary vessels in contested waters. The Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System, equipped with advanced sensors, was also cleared, with the Ministry stating that it would improve maritime surveillance and situational awareness for naval operations.
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The third naval approval involves the establishment of a Land Based Testing Facility for electric propulsion systems. This facility is intended to support the development and validation of motors and associated propulsion systems used across naval platforms, addressing a long-standing requirement for indigenous testing infrastructure rather than relying on facilities abroad.