- New arsenal to empower Army, Navy and Air Force with next-gen missile systems, amphibious platforms, smart munitions and autonomous strike technologies
Major thrust on ‘Make in India’ and indigenous R&D to enhance operational readiness and self-reliance in defence production
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, OCT 23
In a decisive push to modernise India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday cleared capital acquisition proposals worth around ₹79,000 crore, spanning critical procurements for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The approvals reaffirm the government’s steadfast commitment to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in Defence, with a strong emphasis on indigenous design, development and manufacturing across platforms and weapon systems.
Key Approvals by Service
For the Indian Army
The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground-Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES) and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) with material-handling cranes.
- The NAMIS (Tracked) will sharpen the Army’s anti-armour capabilities, allowing precision strikes on enemy tanks, bunkers and field fortifications.
- The GBMES will provide 24×7 electronic intelligence on adversary emitters, bolstering battlefield situational awareness.
- The HMVs will strengthen logistics and mobility in challenging terrains, enhancing the Army’s operational agility.
For the Indian Navy
The Navy’s capability enhancement got a major boost with approvals for Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), 30mm Naval Surface Guns (NSG), Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes (ALWT), Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track Systems, and Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mounts.
- The LPDs will enable joint amphibious operations with the Army and Air Force, as well as humanitarian and disaster relief missions.
- The indigenously developed ALWT, designed by DRDO’s Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, can effectively target conventional and midget submarines.
- The new 30mm NSG systems will boost the Navy and Coast Guard’s ability to conduct low-intensity maritime operations and counter-piracy missions.
For the Indian Air Force
The IAF received AoN for the Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) and associated systems.
- The CLRTS/DS is an advanced unmanned aerial system capable of autonomous take-off, navigation, detection and payload delivery, enabling precision saturation strikes on strategic targets.
Strengthening Indigenous Capability
The DAC’s latest decisions are expected to significantly accelerate India’s march towards defence self-reliance, with most procurements earmarked for domestic defence industries and DRDO-led innovation.
Officials said these approvals would not only enhance combat effectiveness and interoperability across the three Services but also generate employment and spur investment in the defence manufacturing ecosystem.
With this round of approvals, India takes another decisive step toward building a future-ready, technologically empowered Armed Forces, aligned with its national vision of strategic autonomy and resilient deterrence.
