- Defence Acquisition Council accords AoN for MRFA (Rafale), combat missiles, AS-HAPS, P-8I aircraft & critical land systems
- Majority of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft to be manufactured in India, boosting deterrence & long-range strike capability
- MoD inks ₹2,312 crore HAL contract for eight Dornier 228 aircraft under Buy (Indian) category
- Navy to induct 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine generators under Make-I to cut foreign dependence
- Army to strengthen mechanised readiness with Vibhav anti-tank mines & overhaul of T-72, BMP-II & ARVs
- QA Conclave on ‘Traceability, Speed and Trust’ to chart digital roadmap for defence manufacturing excellence
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, FEB 12
In one of the largest defence capital acquisition clearances in recent years, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for proposals worth approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore on February 12, 2026 — significantly strengthening India’s combat preparedness across the Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard.
IAF to Get MRFA (Rafale), Combat Missiles & AS-HAPS
For the Indian Air Force (IAF), AoN was approved for the procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) {Rafale}, Combat Missiles, and Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS).
The procurement of MRFA will enhance the capability of undertaking air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict and significantly boost the deterrence capabilities of the IAF with long-range offensive strikes. Notably, the majority of MRFA to be procured will be manufactured in India, reinforcing domestic aerospace capability.
The Combat Missiles will enhance stand-off ground attack capability with deep strike power and very high accuracy, while the AS-HAPS will be utilised for persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Intelligence, telecommunication and remote sensing for military purposes.
Army Modernisation: Mines & Mechanised Overhaul
For the Indian Army, AoN was accorded for the procurement of Anti-Tank Mines (Vibhav) and overhaul of vehicle platforms of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 Tanks and Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-II).
Vibhav mines will be laid as anti-tank obstacle systems to delay the advance of enemy mechanised forces. The overhaul programme will enhance the service life of equipment, ensuring operational readiness and sustained combat effectiveness.
Navy & Coast Guard: Maritime Vigil Strengthened
For the Indian Navy, AoN was cleared for a 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine based Electric Power Generator and P8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft.
The induction of the 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine under the Make-I category of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 will minimise dependency on foreign manufacturers and ensure self-reliance in naval power generation requirements.
The acquisition of P8I aircraft will significantly boost the Navy’s long-range anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and maritime strike capability.
For the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), AoN was accorded for the procurement of Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) systems for Dornier aircraft, enhancing maritime surveillance effectiveness.
₹2,312 Crore HAL Deal for Eight Dornier 228 Aircraft
In a parallel boost to indigenous aerospace manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 aircraft along with Operational Role Equipment for the ICG under Buy (Indian) category.
The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on Thursday.
The programme is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment, strengthen HAL’s production ecosystem, and support a broad network of MSMEs and ancillary industries. It will also create sustained opportunities in Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) and lifecycle technical support.
The contract reinforces the Government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India, while bolstering India’s maritime security architecture.
QA Conclave to Shape Future of Defence Manufacturing
Further underlining the reform push in defence production, a Quality Assurance (QA) Conclave themed “Traceability, Speed and Trust – Leveraging Technology for Smarter Quality Assurance” will be held at Manekshaw Auditorium, New Delhi, on February 13, 2026.
The conclave will bring together senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Indian Navy, Quality Assurance agencies, shipyards, defence PSUs and industry partners to deliberate on the future of QA in naval and defence manufacturing.
The event will highlight the role of digital technologies in strengthening traceability across the manufacturing chain, accelerating approvals and certifications, and building long-term stakeholder trust.
Technical sessions will include panel discussions on:
- Digital QA for Shipbuilding – Traceability, Speed and Trust
- QA Policy Compliance and Industry Collaborations
- QA in Naval Shipbuilding and Replenishment Orders for Spares
Key initiatives to be launched include:
- Release of the Indian Naval & Marine Industry – A Capability Catalogue
- Promulgation of Joint Service Guidelines on Common Information Model for integrated combat systems data management
- Conferment of Green Channel Status and Self Certification to eligible industry partners
With large-scale acquisitions, indigenous contracts and systemic QA reforms moving in tandem, India’s defence architecture is witnessing a decisive push toward operational dominance, technological sovereignty and manufacturing self-reliance.
