DAC Clears Rs 3.6 Trillion For Defence Acquisitions

17 Feb 2026 CW Team

For the Indian Air Force, acceptance of necessity authorised procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Rafale, combat missiles and an air-ship based high altitude pseudo satellite (AS-HAPS). The MRFA will enhance capability to undertake air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict and will significantly boost deterrence through long range offensive strikes, with the majority of aircraft to be manufactured in India. The combat missiles will strengthen stand-off ground attack capability by providing deep strike power and high accuracy and the AS-HAPS will be utilised for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic intelligence, telecommunication and remote sensing for military purposes.

For the Indian Army, approval was granted for procurement of Anti-Tank Mines Vibhav and major overhauls of armoured recovery vehicles, T-72 tanks and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles. The Vibhav mines will be laid as an anti-tank obstacle to delay the advance of enemy mechanised forces and the overhauls will extend service life to ensure readiness and operational effectiveness. These measures form part of maintenance and modernisation efforts aimed at sustaining force preparedness.

For the Indian Navy, acceptance of necessity was cleared for a four megawatt (MW) marine gas turbine electric power generator under the Make-I category and for P8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The induction of the generator will reduce dependency on foreign manufacturers and promote self-reliance in naval power generation while the P8I will enhance long range anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and maritime strike capability.

For the Indian Coast Guard, approval was accorded for procurement of an electro-optical/infra-red system for Dornier aircraft to enhance maritime surveillance efficacy. The decisions signal a coordinated push to bolster combat readiness across services while supporting indigenous manufacture to strengthen the domestic defence industrial base.

The Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh accorded Acceptance of Necessity for several service proposals valued at Rs three point six trillion (tn) on 12 February 2026. The approvals covered acquisitions for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). For the Indian Air Force, acceptance of necessity authorised procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Rafale, combat missiles and an air-ship based high altitude pseudo satellite (AS-HAPS). The MRFA will enhance capability to undertake air dominance roles across the spectrum of conflict and will significantly boost deterrence through long range offensive strikes, with the majority of aircraft to be manufactured in India. The combat missiles will strengthen stand-off ground attack capability by providing deep strike power and high accuracy and the AS-HAPS will be utilised for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic intelligence, telecommunication and remote sensing for military purposes. For the Indian Army, approval was granted for procurement of Anti-Tank Mines Vibhav and major overhauls of armoured recovery vehicles, T-72 tanks and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles. The Vibhav mines will be laid as an anti-tank obstacle to delay the advance of enemy mechanised forces and the overhauls will extend service life to ensure readiness and operational effectiveness. These measures form part of maintenance and modernisation efforts aimed at sustaining force preparedness. For the Indian Navy, acceptance of necessity was cleared for a four megawatt (MW) marine gas turbine electric power generator under the Make-I category and for P8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The induction of the generator will reduce dependency on foreign manufacturers and promote self-reliance in naval power generation while the P8I will enhance long range anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and maritime strike capability. For the Indian Coast Guard, approval was accorded for procurement of an electro-optical/infra-red system for Dornier aircraft to enhance maritime surveillance efficacy. The decisions signal a coordinated push to bolster combat readiness across services while supporting indigenous manufacture to strengthen the domestic defence industrial base.

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