From night sights to drones: Rajnath Singh-led DAC clears ₹67,000-crore defence spend

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday approved a series of capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹67,000 crore to augment the combat capabilities of the armed forces across land, sea and air.

The approvals include new equipment and upgrades for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as unmanned systems and maintenance initiatives across services.

For the Indian Army, the council approved the procurement of thermal imager-based driver night sights for BMP infantry combat vehicles. The equipment is expected to significantly enhance night operational mobility and effectiveness of the mechanised Infantry.

The Indian Navy will acquire compact autonomous surface craft, BrahMos fire control systems and launchers, and upgraded BARAK-1 point defence missile systems. The autonomous craft will bolster anti-submarine warfare capabilities by improving threat detection, classification, and neutralisation.

The Indian Air Force will procure mountain radars and upgrade its SAKSHAM/SPYDER weapon systems. The radars are aimed at improving surveillance in mountainous border regions, while the upgraded systems will be integrated with the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), according to an official readout.

The DAC also cleared the acquisition of medium altitude long endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Capable of carrying multiple payloads and weapons, the drones will provide round-the-clock surveillance and strike capabilities at extended ranges.

The approvals were granted for sustaining the C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft fleets and for the comprehensive annual maintenance of the S-400 Long Range Air Defence Missile System.

The decisions are part of the government's continued focus on modernising the Armed Forces and strengthening India’s defence preparedness.

Last month, the DAC approved 10 capital acquisition proposals worth around ₹1.05 lakh crore under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category to boost indigenous defence manufacturing.