DAC Clears Rs Three Point Six Trillion For Defence Acquisitions

17 Feb 2026 CW Team

Acceptance of Necessity for the IAF included procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), combat missiles and an air-ship based high altitude pseudo satellite (AS-HAPS) to support persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and telecommunication tasks. The MRFA procurement is intended to strengthen air dominance and deterrence with long range offensive strike capability, with the majority of aircraft to be manufactured in India. The combat missiles will provide enhanced stand-off ground attack capacity with deep strike power and high accuracy.

For the Indian Army, AoN was granted for Anti-Tank Mines named Vibhav and for overhaul of vehicle platforms of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 tanks and Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-II) to extend service life. The Vibhav mines are intended to be deployed as an anti-tank obstacle system to delay the advance of mechanised forces. The overhaul programme aims to ensure operational readiness and effectiveness through restoration of tracked platforms.

For the Indian Navy, AoN was cleared for four megawatt (MW) marine gas turbine based electric power generators under the Make-I category and for induction of P8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to bolster long range anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and maritime strike capabilities. The power generator acquisition is intended to reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers and enhance self-reliance in shipboard power generation. For the Indian Coast Guard, AoN was accorded for an electro-optical and infra-red system for Dornier aircraft to improve maritime surveillance efficacy.

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a range of capital acquisition proposals for the armed services with an estimated value of Rs three point six trillion (tn) on 12 February 2026. The amount is presented in rupees and denotes the sizeable capital commitment to modernise capabilities. The council approved proposals for the Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Acceptance of Necessity for the IAF included procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), combat missiles and an air-ship based high altitude pseudo satellite (AS-HAPS) to support persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and telecommunication tasks. The MRFA procurement is intended to strengthen air dominance and deterrence with long range offensive strike capability, with the majority of aircraft to be manufactured in India. The combat missiles will provide enhanced stand-off ground attack capacity with deep strike power and high accuracy. For the Indian Army, AoN was granted for Anti-Tank Mines named Vibhav and for overhaul of vehicle platforms of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 tanks and Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-II) to extend service life. The Vibhav mines are intended to be deployed as an anti-tank obstacle system to delay the advance of mechanised forces. The overhaul programme aims to ensure operational readiness and effectiveness through restoration of tracked platforms. For the Indian Navy, AoN was cleared for four megawatt (MW) marine gas turbine based electric power generators under the Make-I category and for induction of P8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to bolster long range anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and maritime strike capabilities. The power generator acquisition is intended to reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers and enhance self-reliance in shipboard power generation. For the Indian Coast Guard, AoN was accorded for an electro-optical and infra-red system for Dornier aircraft to improve maritime surveillance efficacy.

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