Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, India.
India MoD Clears Major Defence Deals for Army, IAF: New Delhi: The government has approved a wide-ranging set of defence proposals worth approximately ₹79,000–₹80,000 crore (about $8.8–$8.9 billion USD), signalling a strong push to enhance the operational readiness and longevity of key military platforms while prioritising indigenisation. The decisions were taken by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during a recent meeting amid continuing border tensions and evolving strategic requirements.
Sources said the approvals focus largely on upgrades, overhauls and life-extension programmes rather than large-scale fresh acquisitions, reflecting a cost-effective approach to sustaining combat capability while strengthening India’s domestic defence-industrial ecosystem.
Life Extension for T-90 Tanks
At the heart of the package is the comprehensive overhaul of T-90 Bhishma main battle tanks, one of the Indian Army’s primary armoured platforms. The DAC cleared a programme to refurbish four ageing T-90 regiments, extending their operational life by up to 20 years.
The overhaul will involve resetting critical components such as engines, gun barrels and key mechanical systems to modern standards. The work will draw heavily on domestic expertise, including the Indian Army’s Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and public sector firms such as Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited.
The initiative builds on ongoing refurbishment efforts, including work carried out at the 505 Army Base Workshop since October 2024. These upgrades are seen as particularly important for maintaining high-altitude warfare capabilities and ensuring readiness along the northern and western borders, where the Army faces potential threats from China and Pakistan.
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T-90 MBT.
Mi-17 Helicopter Overhauls Approved
The DAC also cleared the mid-life overhaul of Mi-17 helicopters, a mainstay of India’s rotary-wing fleet across the Army, Air Force and Navy. The programme aims to keep these versatile platforms combat-ready for transport and utility roles through comprehensive maintenance and refurbishment.
While the Indian Air Force’s repair depots will play a key role, officials indicated that the overhaul effort could open up greater opportunities for private sector participation. The move aligns with broader efforts to modernise India’s helicopter fleet and complements initiatives such as the integration of indigenous electronic warfare suites developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
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Mi-17 Helicopter.
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Boost to Precision Strike and Air Defence
In a significant step towards enhancing battlefield precision, the DAC approved the procurement of loitering munitions, commonly known as kamikaze drones, for the Army. These systems proved their effectiveness during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when they were used against terrorist and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Additional approvals include low-level lightweight radars and Integrated Drone Detection Systems (IDDS) MK-2, which will strengthen surveillance, early warning and counter-drone capabilities in forward areas.
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MRSAM for Navy and Air Force
To reinforce layered air defence, the DAC green-lit the induction of Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) for both the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. With an interception range of up to 70 km, the system is capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles.
The vertically launched, supersonic MRSAMs are already deployed on platforms such as aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and are considered critical for protecting high-value maritime and air assets, particularly in the increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region. The approval follows recent momentum in the programme, including a ₹2,960 crore (about $330 million USD) contract signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited in January 2025.
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Astra Mk-2 to Sharpen IAF’s Edge
The DAC also approved the acquisition of Astra Mark-2 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles for the Indian Air Force, with more than 600 missiles planned for integration on Su-30MKI and Tejas fighter aircraft.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra Mk-2 features a dual-pulse rocket motor offering a range of 140–200 km, an indigenous radio-frequency seeker and advanced guidance and control systems. The missile is designed to counter advanced threats such as China’s PL-15 and Pakistan’s PL-15E, offering improved endgame manoeuvrability and enhanced standoff engagement capability.
Lessons from Recent Operations
Officials said the approvals reflect lessons drawn from Operation Sindoor, where long-range precision weapons and advanced surveillance systems demonstrated their effectiveness against adversarial infrastructure. The emphasis on domestic manufacturing and overhaul under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative is expected to benefit Indian defence firms such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Armoured Vehicles Nigam, while also strengthening the country’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) ecosystem.
Collectively, the package is expected to sustain a fleet of over 1,000 T-90 tanks well into the 2030s, address key air defence gaps, and enhance precision strike capabilities—while maintaining fiscal discipline during a period of ongoing defence reforms.
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