Rajnath Singh-led DAC clears major indigenous defence purchases worth ₹1.05 lakh crore

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday 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.

The proposals were cleared during a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Approvals include procurement of armoured recovery vehicles, electronic warfare systems, integrated common inventory management systems for the tri-services and surface-to-air missiles, the defence ministry said in a statement.

“These procurements will provide higher mobility, effective air defence, better supply chain management and augment the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces,” it said.

The DAC also accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for moored mines, mine countermeasure vessels, super rapid gun mounts and submersible autonomous vessels, aimed at mitigating risks posed to naval and merchant vessels.

Last month, the ministry concluded 13 contracts worth ₹1,981.90 crore under the emergency procurement (EP) mechanism to enhance operational readiness amid rising security threats.

The acquisitions, finalised against a sanctioned outlay of ₹2,000 crore, were executed using fast-track procedures for the swift induction of mission-critical equipment in counter-terror operations.

The procurements included integrated drone detection and interdiction systems, low level lightweight radars, very short range air defence systems, remotely piloted aerial vehicles, loitering munitions with VTOL capability, drones, bullet-proof jackets, ballistic helmets, quick reaction fighting vehicles in heavy and medium categories, and night sights for rifles.

“These procurements reflect the Ministry’s commitment to equipping the Indian Army with modern and completely indigenous systems to meet emerging security challenges,” the ministry said, adding that the EP route remains a key enabler in bridging urgent capability gaps.