DRDO’s VSHORADS missile.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC): In an era where modern warfare is rapidly evolving from conventional trench battles to high-tech, drone-dominated battlefields, India is taking a massive leap forward to secure its borders. On July 3, 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister (Raksha Mantri) Rajnath Singh, cleared a wave of capital acquisition proposals worth an estimated $5.47 billion (Rs 52,000 crore).
By granting the ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ (AoN)—the Indian government’s formal nod of in-principle administrative approval—the DAC has officially kickstarted the procurement process for a vast array of cutting-edge military hardware. This mega-investment is aimed squarely at boosting the combat readiness, situational awareness, and technological superiority of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Here is a breakdown of what this massive defense upgrade means, what equipment is being bought, and why it matters for India’s security posture.
Building a Fortress in the Sky: The Indian Army’s New Arsenal
The biggest chunk of the newly approved proposals focuses on the Indian Army, with a heavy emphasis on anti-drone warfare, missile defense, and armor protection. Recent global conflicts have shown that cheap, commercial drones and precision-guided missiles can devastate traditional army formations. India’s new acquisitions aim to neutralize these exact threats.
First on the list is ‘AKASH TARANG’, an advanced Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Electronic Warfare System. As rogue drones become a frequent menace along India’s northern and western borders, AKASH TARANG will act as an invisible shield, jamming and neutralizing enemy drones before they can gather intelligence or launch strikes against Army formations.
To protect frontline foot soldiers against heavy enemy armor, the government has approved the procurement of Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Systems. These lightweight, shoulder-fired weapons will give infantry units the firepower needed to destroy enemy tanks and mechanized vehicles from a distance, drastically leveling the playing field.
Air defense is also receiving a massive dual-layered upgrade. The Army will receive Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Weapon Systems to intercept stand-off aerial threats like fighter jets and cruise missiles from a distance. For close-combat scenarios, the Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS) will be deployed. Equipped with multi-spectral sensing, V-SHORADS can lock onto targets despite enemy countermeasures, ensuring that low-flying threats cannot slip through the cracks.
Furthermore, India is upgrading its tank fleet with Active Protection Systems. This technology acts like a personal missile-defense shield for individual tanks, detecting incoming anti-tank rockets and destroying them in mid-air before they impact the vehicle, drastically increasing crew survivability.
Finally, embracing the future of offensive AI warfare, the Army will induct Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone Systems. Unlike slower, propeller-driven drones, these jet-powered loitering munitions offer incredible speed, enhanced electronic warfare resilience, and extreme lethality, all while remaining highly cost-effective compared to traditional cruise missiles.
Securing the Seas: The Indian Navy’s Tech Pivot
As the Indian Ocean Region becomes an increasingly contested geopolitical hotspot, the Indian Navy is focusing its newly approved funds on keeping adversaries at bay and mastering next-generation propulsion.
The DAC approved the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM). These high-tech underwater mines are designed to be laid on the seabed, waiting to detect the specific acoustic or magnetic signature of enemy warships. By deploying these, the Navy can effectively close off strategic maritime chokepoints and deny freedom of maneuver to hostile fleets.
To boost surveillance over the vast ocean, the Navy will also acquire the Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS). Launched directly from the decks of warships, these advanced drone systems are packed with sophisticated sensors, giving naval commanders real-time, long-range situational awareness without risking manned aircraft.
Perhaps the most forward-looking naval approval is the establishment of a Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion Systems. Modern warships are transitioning toward electric propulsion, which makes them quieter, more fuel-efficient, and capable of powering high-energy future weapons like lasers. The new LBTF will serve as a crucial hub to test motors and propulsion systems before they are integrated into India’s future multi-billion-dollar naval assets.
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Eyes in the Stratosphere: The Indian Air Force Goes High-Altitude
For the Indian Air Force (IAF), the standout approval of this package is the procurement of the Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS).
Operating in the stratosphere—well above commercial air traffic but below traditional satellites—HAPS platforms are essentially ultra-long-endurance drones that can stay airborne for months at a time using solar power. The FW-HAPS will bridge a critical gap for the IAF, providing persistent, uninterrupted Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), alongside acting as a telecommunications and remote sensing hub over critical border zones.
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Why This $5.47 Billion (Rs 52,000 Crore) Boost Matters
This sweeping approval highlights a clear shift in India’s military doctrine toward localized defense production, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems. Rather than relying solely on massive, expensive legacy platforms, India is investing heavily in asymmetric capabilities—like kamikaze drones, anti-drone electronic shields, and pseudo-satellites—that offer maximum tactical advantage at a fraction of the cost.
By granting the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), the DAC has set the stage for defense manufacturers, particularly domestic firms under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, to compete for these lucrative contracts. As these technologies transition from paper approvals to frontline deployment, they will fundamentally reshape how India protects its land, skies, and seas.
*1 USD=INR 95.
