DAC clears capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 2.12 lakh crore for defence forces

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on 26 October 2026, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) i.e. in-principle administrative to various capital acquisition proposals of the Defence Forces at an estimated cost of about Rs 2,12,000 crore.

For the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the procurement of High Mobility Vehicles (HMV), Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System, Gun Shot Response System (GSRS), Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), Platform Based Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS), Unmanned Aerial System Brick Long Range, Surveillance UAV, Integrated Surveillance and Strike System and Long Range Kamikaze Drone System. 

The HMVs will enhance operational capabilities, logistic support and mobility in challenging terrains. The Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System will provide matching mobility and firepower to mechanised formations. The GSRS will serve as a force multiplier providing real time situational awareness of the forces. The LMRH will be used by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force for reconnaissance and surveillance, combat, search and rescue of troops, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief etc. The VSHORADS will engage new generation small size aerial threats, while C-UAS will enhance survivability of tanks in the modern battlefield. The surveillance and drone systems will enhance the surveillance and targeting capabilities of the Indian Army.

For the Indian Navy, approval was given for the procurement of active offboard decoy system (AODS) and other major naval platforms. The AODS will enhance the credibility of anti-missiles defence, especially against modern anti-ship missiles of adversaries. The indigenously designed and constructed major naval platforms will possess modern day warfare capabilities and enhance the combat capability of the Navy.

For the Indian Air Force, approval was accorded for the procurement of helicopters, air defence systems, weapons and mobile X-band doppler weather radar system to enhance the air defence and war fighting capabilities. The procurement of special utility helicopters will help the Indian Air Force to meet the important air transport requirements. The X-band doppler weather radar system will provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas.

Out of the total AoNs accorded, approximately 82% of the procurements will be made from the Indian Industry.

Rs 811 crore contract with BDL for 160 Satellite Smart Anti Airfield Weapons for IAF

Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the procurement of 160 Satellite Smart Anti Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) along with associated equipment for Indian Air Force (IAF) with a total cost of Rs 810.79 crore under Buy (Indian - Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category. The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on 23 September 2026.

SAT-SAAW is an air-to-ground precision guided glide bomb which can be launched from platforms like Jaguar, Hawk and Su-30MKI, and has the capability to neutralise enemy airfields from a long stand-off range. Indigenously designed and developed by DRDO, the system will have an indigenous content of 60% along with indigenous of sub-systems like initial measurement unit, long impact delay fuse and twin store carrier to further boost Aatmanirbharta in defence.

Representational image of the SAAW

Rs 4,106 crore contracts for GSAT-7C communication satellite and Varunastra heavy weight torpedoes

The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth a total of approximately Rs 4,106 crore for the acquisition of a dedicated communication satellite capability, GSAT-7C for the Indian Air Force, and Varunastra heavy weight torpedoes for the Indian Navy on 15 October 2026.

The contract for GSAT-7C, valued at Rs 2,563 crore, was signed with New Space India Limited, Bengaluru. This indigenously designed, developed and manufactured satellite will enhance the secure, resilient and seamless communication capabilities for the assets of the Indian Air Force, thereby strengthening operational effectiveness.

The contract for Varunastra was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad worth Rs 1,543 crore. Varunastra is an indigenous ship launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory. Equipped with advanced maneuvering capabilities, it is capable of engaging enemy submarines at long ranges, thereby enhancing the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy.

Rs. 770 Cr contract for improved LLLR-I 

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) to procure Improved Low Level Light Weight Radar (LLLR-I) at a cost of approximately Rs. 770 Cr in the presence of the Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on 21 October 2026. The LLLR(I) system has the capability of detecting and tracking fighter size targets and mini/micro drones, it has additional capability of prioritising aerial targets. This will enable the Army to successfully counter the threat of the unmanned aerial system (UAS).

Rs 661 crore contract to procure BrahMos fire control system and launchers for Indian Navy ships

The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for procurement of BrahMos Fire Control System and Launchers for Indian Navy ships under Buy (Indian-IDDM) Category, on 6 October 2026 in New Delhi. Valued at Rs 661.50 crore, the contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. With a minimum 68% indigenous content, the project encourages active participation of various Indian industries including MSMEs.

Rs 586 crore contract to procure APUs for T-72 and T-90 MBTs

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited to procure auxiliary power units (APUs) for T-72 and T-90 tanks at a cost of Rs 586 crore. The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on 21 September 2026. The APU is an alternate source for generation of electric power for fire control system, firing circuit, gun stabilisation system and other ancillaries of the tank. The induction of indigenously developed APUs will further strengthen the operational readiness, reliability and sustainability of the Indian Army’s mechanised formations.