MQ-9B SkyGuardian. Photo: GA-ASI.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council Clears Proposals Worth Over $7 Billion: NEW DELHI – India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, has approved several new proposals with a total cost of approximately ₹67,000 crore (around $7.37 billion). The approvals, which were granted on August 5, 2025, are designed to enhance the operational capabilities and readiness of the country’s armed forces.
For the Indian Army, a key approval was the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sights for BMP vehicles. This measure is intended to improve the night driving capability of the BMPs, providing the Mechanised Infantry with higher mobility and a significant operational advantage.
The Indian Navy also received several key approvals. The DAC accorded AoN for the procurement of a Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, the BrahMos Fire Control System and Launchers, and an upgrade of the BARAK-1 Point Defence Missile System. The autonomous craft will provide the navy with a new capability for anti-submarine warfare, including the detection, classification, and neutralisation of threats.
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IAI’s Barak 8 Missile.
In a move to strengthen air surveillance, the Indian Air Force was granted AoN for the procurement of Mountain Radars. These radars will enhance the force’s ability to monitor air activity along and across the borders in mountainous regions. Additionally, the DAC approved an upgrade of the SAKSHAM/SPYDER Weapon System to integrate with the Integrated Air Command and Control System, a step that will boost the Air Defence capability.
A significant common procurement for all three services is the AoN for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs). These advanced RPAs will be equipped to carry multiple payloads and weapons, and are capable of operating for extended durations over long ranges. This will dramatically enhance the round-the-clock surveillance and combat capabilities of the armed forces.
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Furthermore, the DAC has also accorded AoN for the sustenance of the C-17 and C-130J fleets and approved a comprehensive annual maintenance contract for the S-400 Long Range Air Defence Missile System.
These approvals represent a continued investment in modernising India’s military, with a focus on indigenous solutions and advanced technology to meet evolving security challenges.
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