India clears ₹79,000 crore defence purchases to boost combat power

The Defence Acquisition Council has approved a wide-ranging acquisition programme covering rockets, missiles, radars, drones, and advanced platforms to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force across multiple domains.

The Ministry of Defence has approved capital acquisition proposals worth ₹79,000 crore to enhance India’s military combat preparedness, signalling a major push to modernise capabilities across the three armed forces. The approvals were granted by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during its latest meeting.

The cleared procurements span long-range rockets, missiles, surveillance systems, and specialised platforms, aimed at addressing emerging operational challenges and strengthening deterrence across land, sea, and air domains.

Army focuses on precision, surveillance, and counter-drone capabilities

For the Indian Army, the DAC approved the procurement of loiter munition systems to enable precision strikes against tactical targets. The council also cleared acquisitions of low-level lightweight radars capable of detecting and tracking small, low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles, along with long-range guided rocket ammunition for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system to improve accuracy and reach against high-value targets.

In addition, the Army will induct the next-generation Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (Mk-II), designed to safeguard critical assets in both tactical battle areas and hinterland locations by countering hostile drone threats with enhanced range and effectiveness.

Navy and Air Force get strategic capability enhancements

For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of high-frequency software-defined radios (HF SDR) in manpack configuration to improve secure communications. It also cleared the leasing of high-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft systems (HALE RPAS) to strengthen continuous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance over the Indian Ocean Region.

The Indian Air Force will benefit from approvals for Astra Mk-II beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, SPICE-1000 precision-guided kits, a full mission simulator for the Tejas light combat aircraft, and an automatic take-off and landing recording system. These acquisitions are expected to enhance pilot training, air safety, and long-range precision strike capabilities, while enabling fighter aircraft to engage adversaries from greater stand-off distances.