In a significant move aimed at streamlining defence procurement, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved new guidelines to reduce acquisition timelines. These reforms seek to enhance efficiency, making the process faster and more effective. Furthermore, the DAC has approved Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for eight capital acquisition proposals across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a total value exceeding Rs 54,000 crore.
T-90 Tank Engines, Varunastra Torpedoes, AEW&C Cleared
The DAC has sanctioned the procurement of a 1,350 HP engine to upgrade the existing 1,000 HP engine for T-90 tanks. This enhancement will significantly improve battlefield mobility, particularly in high-altitude terrains, by increasing the tanks’ power-to-weight ratio.
The Navy gets approval for acquiring Varunastra torpedoes, an advanced ship-launched anti-submarine weapon developed indigenously by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory. The additional procurement of these torpedoes will strengthen the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The Navy needs 40 of these advanced torpedoes, however, there is no official figure available.
For the Air Force, the DAC has approved the procurement of Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft systems. These advanced surveillance platforms serve as force multipliers, significantly enhancing the combat effectiveness of all integrated weapon systems and transforming the strategic landscape of warfare.
Addressing Procurement Delays
India’s defence procurement system has often been criticized for its complexity and prolonged timelines. Under the current framework, acquiring military hardware can take several years, potentially impacting operational readiness due to bureaucratic bottlenecks. The Defence Ministry aims to reduce the average acquisition time from two years to just six months, although official confirmation on the exact reduction has yet to be provided.
The new guidelines focus on making the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 more efficient to prevent delays in acquiring critical platforms. Due to these procedural hurdles, high-profile defence deals, such as the procurement of additional Rafale-Maritime fighters and three Scorpene-class submarines, remain pending clearance.
CDS Highlights Procurement Challenges
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan recently voiced concerns over India’s sluggish procurement process at the Raisina Dialogue 2025 on March 19. He emphasized that delays in acquisitions hinder the military’s ability to integrate new technologies at the desired pace.
“Our procurement procedures are so slow that it becomes difficult for the armed forces to imbibe technology at the desired pace,” said Gen Chauhan.
The Defence Ministry’s decision to introduce new guidelines aligns with its broader objective of simplifying procurement procedures, ensuring that bureaucratic inefficiencies do not bog down crucial acquisitions. This reform marks a step toward enhancing India’s defence readiness and strengthening its strategic capabilities in an evolving global security environment.
Ravi Shankar
