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The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to 55 capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 6.73 lakh crore during 2025-26, underlining the government’s push to accelerate military modernisation and strengthen indigenous defence capabilities.
According to the Ministry of Defence’s Annual Report 2025-26, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) also accorded AoN to six capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 2,463.91 crore during the year.
The proposals cover a wide spectrum of capabilities, ranging from air defence missiles, armoured vehicle engines and unmanned systems to airborne early warning aircraft, long-range strike weapons, mine-countermeasure vessels and amphibious platforms.
Among the significant proposals is the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM-I) or Anantshastram, an indigenous DRDO-designed and BEL-developed system intended to provide air defence protection to mechanised formations. The system has a stated missile slant range of 30 km and vertical range of 6 km.
The DAC also cleared an indigenous 1,350 HP engine for T-90 tanks, aimed at improving their mobility at higher altitudes, with a minimum power-to-weight ratio of 25 HP per tonne.
Unmanned and counter-drone capabilities also feature prominently. The Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II, designed by DRDO, can simultaneously detect 20 targets at 15 km with 360-degree coverage and employ laser-based hard kill as well as RF jamming capabilities.
The list also includes AEW&C Mk-1A, an upgraded version of the Netra airborne early warning and control system; MALE remotely piloted aircraft for all three services; and the SPICE-1000 weapon to enhance the Indian Air Force’s long-range strike capability.
For the Indian Navy, AoNs include mine countermeasure vessels and landing platform docks, both envisaged to be indigenously designed and constructed by Indian shipyards. The MCMVs are intended to safeguard the movement of shipping through ports and waterways, while the LPDs will support amphibious operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
The Coast Guard-related proposals include ship-borne VTOL unmanned aerial systems equipped with maritime surveillance sensors, as well as new portable HF software-defined radios.
The acquisition push comes alongside a wider policy emphasis on indigenisation. The report says the share of the defence capital acquisition budget earmarked exclusively for domestic procurement has progressively increased from 58% to 75%, with 25% of this domestic allocation earmarked for the private sector.
The Ministry has also highlighted reforms aimed at moving from a “Make in India” approach towards an “Owned by India” model, including greater use of Buy (Global–Manufacture in India), Make-III for import substitution, and direct procurement pathways for successful iDEX and Technology Development Fund technologies.
Team BharatShakti
