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The government cleared defence procurement proposals worth nearly Rs 52,000 crore, with a strong emphasis on strengthening India’s air defence network, counter-drone capability, armoured warfare and maritime surveillance.
The approvals were granted on Thursday by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the country’s highest defence procurement body, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The largest share of approvals is for the Indian Army, which will acquire a range of systems to improve battlefield survivability and enhance protection against emerging aerial threats. These include the Akash Tarang anti-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) electronic warfare system, Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) systems, Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) weapon systems, Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (V-SHORADS), and Active Protection Systems (APS) for tanks and jet-powered kamikaze drones.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Akash Tarang system will provide electronic warfare-based protection against hostile drones for Army formations. The indigenous MPATGM is expected to strengthen the infantry’s ability to engage enemy armoured vehicles, while the MRSAM will bolster medium-range air defence against a range of aerial threats.
The V-SHORADS, equipped with multi-spectral seekers, will improve the Army’s capability to counter low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones while offering greater resistance to countermeasures. The Active Protection System will enhance tank survivability by intercepting incoming anti-tank munitions, while the jet-based kamikaze drones are intended to provide long-range precision strike capability with improved survivability in contested electronic warfare environments.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM), Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS) and the establishment of a Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for electric propulsion systems.
The Ministry said the sea mines are designed to restrict an adversary’s freedom of manoeuvre, while shipborne unmanned aerial systems equipped with advanced sensors will improve maritime surveillance and situational awareness. The proposed testing facility will support the development and validation of electric propulsion motors and associated systems for future naval platforms.
The Indian Air Force received approval to procure Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (FW-HAPS), along with other equipment. Operating at very high altitudes for extended durations, these solar-powered platforms are expected to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), telecommunications and remote sensing capabilities, complementing conventional airborne and space-based assets.
The latest approvals come amid the armed forces’ continued push to strengthen operational preparedness and accelerate the induction of indigenous and advanced technologies in response to evolving security challenges.
Team BharatShakti
