India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Thursday approved capital acquisition proposals worth 79,000 crore Indian rupees (approximately $9 billion) to enhance the operational and combat readiness of the Indian armed forces.
The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, sanctioned multiple projects covering the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, aiming to strengthen national defence preparedness across land, sea, and air domains.
Indian Army to get new missile systems
For the Indian Army, the DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for several key procurements, including the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), the Ground-Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES), and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) equipped with material-handling cranes.
The NAMIS (Tracked) is designed to bolster the Army’s ability to neutralise armoured vehicles, bunkers, and fortifications, providing superior precision and battlefield capability. Meanwhile, the GBMES will enhance India’s electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities by offering round-the-clock surveillance of enemy emitters.
The induction of High Mobility Vehicles is expected to improve logistics support for troops, ensuring smoother operations across challenging terrains.
Navy approves new landing platforms, guns, torpedoes
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the acquisition of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), 30mm Naval Surface Guns (NSGs), Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes (ALWTs), Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track (EO-IRST) Systems, and Smart Ammunition for the 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.
The LPDs will enhance the Navy’s amphibious warfare and joint operations capabilities, allowing for coordinated missions with the Army and Air Force. They will also play a vital role in peacekeeping efforts and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
The Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes, developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of the DRDO, can target conventional, nuclear, and midget submarines, significantly strengthening India’s undersea warfare capabilities.
Meanwhile, the induction of 30mm NSGs will boost the Navy and Coast Guard’s effectiveness in Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and anti-piracy missions in the Indian Ocean.
Air force to gain long-range targeting system
For the Indian Air Force (IAF), the DAC approved the Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) along with several other projects.
The CLRTS/DS will offer autonomous take-off, navigation, target detection, and payload delivery, marking a leap in India’s long-range strike and precision engagement capabilities. The system integrates advanced artificial intelligence and autonomous control features to enhance mission flexibility and effectiveness.
According to the Ministry of Defence, these procurements are part of India’s broader strategy to modernise its armed forces, enhance indigenous manufacturing, and strengthen self-reliance.
