New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital procurement proposals valued at approximately ₹79,000 crore. The decision, taken on December 29, 2025, covers a wide spectrum of advanced systems aimed at modernising the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force while promoting greater self-reliance in defence production.
This major approval package reflects a strategic focus on addressing current and future security challenges through precision weaponry, counter-drone technology, improved surveillance, secure communications, and enhanced training facilities.
The DAC, created in 2001, remains the highest authority for defence capital acquisitions in India. Chaired by the Defence Minister, it grants preliminary clearance for projects in the Long Term Perspective Plan, supervises ongoing initiatives, and issues AoN to initiate formal acquisition procedures.
Indian Army: Strengthening Ground Forces with Precision and Protection
The Army will acquire several systems designed to improve offensive reach and defensive resilience.
Loitering munitions for artillery regiments represent a new class of weapon. These expendable aerial platforms hover over potential target zones before executing a terminal dive onto selected objectives, providing high-precision strikes distinct from conventional reconnaissance drones.
Low-level lightweight radars will enable better identification and monitoring of compact, slow-moving aerial threats flying close to the ground, offering vital early detection in drone-heavy environments.
The Pinaka multiple launch rocket system will gain long-range guided rockets, delivering greater standoff distance and superior accuracy for neutralising distant priority targets.
An upgraded Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II will extend coverage and effectiveness, securing important military sites across operational fronts and interior regions from unmanned aerial intrusions.
Indian Navy: Enhancing Operational Support and Maritime Vigilance
Naval requirements addressed in the package centre on logistical assistance, communication reliability, and persistent ocean monitoring.
Bollard Pull tugs will facilitate precise positioning and movement of large surface vessels and submarines within crowded port areas during arrival, departure, and harbour manoeuvres.
High Frequency Software Defined Radio manpack units will deliver encrypted, extended-range voice links essential for specialised teams conducting boarding operations or shore landings in challenging maritime settings.
Leasing High Altitude Long Endurance remotely piloted aircraft will ensure continuous overhead presence for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, thereby expanding situational awareness throughout the Indian Ocean Region.
Indian Air Force: Advancing Air Superiority, Strike Precision, and Safety
The Air Force approvals target superior aerial combat performance, accurate long-distance ground attacks, realistic pilot preparation, and flight safety.
The Astra Mk-II beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, a fully indigenous DRDO product with a range surpassing 100 kilometres, will allow fighter aircraft to lock onto and destroy hostile planes from considerable separation, elevating beyond-visual-range engagement standards.
SPICE-1000 guidance kits developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel will transform standard bombs into smart munitions capable of executing highly accurate attacks at extended ranges, even beyond national boundaries.
A full mission simulator tailored for the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas will create immersive training environments that mirror real operational conditions, reducing actual flight hours while maintaining skill proficiency.
An Automatic Take-off and Landing Recording System will provide all-weather, high-definition documentation of crucial flight segments, supporting detailed post-event reviews and continuous improvement in aviation safety protocols.
Broader Strategic Impact
Several elements within this approval emphasise domestic design and manufacture. The Astra Mk-II missile, Pinaka guided ammunition, loitering munitions, and the enhanced drone detection platform are primarily Indian-developed initiatives, often involving DRDO and national industry partners. This direction supports reduced foreign dependence and stimulates growth in the local defence sector.
Collectively, the approved systems respond directly to modern warfare demands: drone proliferation, need for standoff precision, maritime domain control, and efficient force training. The ₹79,000 crore investment thus reinforces operational preparedness across land, sea, and air domains.
This latest DAC clearance demonstrates sustained commitment to building a technologically advanced, largely self-sufficient military establishment capable of meeting contemporary security imperatives.
FAQs
1. What is the total value of the defence deals approved by the Defence Acquisition Council on December 29, 2025?
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹79,000 crore. This package covers advanced equipment for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
2. What is the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and what role does it play?
The DAC is India’s apex decision-making body for defence capital procurements, established in 2001. Chaired by the Union Minister of Defence (currently Rajnath Singh), it grants Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), provides in-principle approval for projects under the Long Term Perspective Plan, and monitors the progress of major defence initiatives.
3. Which key systems were approved for the Indian Army?
The Army received clearance for:
Upgraded Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (Mk-II) for enhanced asset protection
Indigenous loitering munitions (kamikaze/suicide drones) for precision strikes
Low-level lightweight radars to detect small, low-flying drones
Long-range guided rocket ammunition for the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System
4. What equipment was approved for the Indian Navy and Air Force?
Navy:
- Bollard Pull tugs for harbour manoeuvring of ships and submarines
- High Frequency Software Defined Radio manpack systems for secure long-range communication
- Leasing of High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft for maritime surveillance
Air Force:
Automatic Take-off and Landing Recording System for flight safety
Indigenous Astra Mk-II beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (range >100 km)
SPICE-1000 long-range guidance kits for precision air-to-ground strikes
Full mission simulator for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas
5. How does this approval support India’s goal of self-reliance in defence?
A significant portion of the approved systems, including the Astra Mk-II missile, Pinaka guided rockets, loitering munitions, and drone detection systems, are indigenously designed and developed, primarily by DRDO and Indian industry. This focus reduces import dependency, boosts domestic manufacturing, and strengthens the national defence industrial base.
