The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh addressing at a press conference on the Achievements and Initiatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs during 3 years of NDA Government, in New Delhi on June 03, 2017.
New Delhi: In a major push to elevate the combat readiness and technological superiority of the Indian Armed Forces, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals valued at approximately ₹52,000 crore.
The high-level meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, fast-tracked critical procurement structures across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. According to the Ministry of Defence, these acquisitions focus heavily on integrating advanced, next-generation indigenous technologies to secure India’s tactical dominance.
1. Indian Army: Anti-Drone and Missile Systems
The DAC cleared a comprehensive array of defensive and offensive suites for the Indian Army to counter evolving mechanised and aerial threats.
AKASH TARANG System: An anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) electronic warfare network designed to protect front-line Army formations from hostile drone swarms.
Infantry Upgrades: Procurement of Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) systems to bolster infantry capabilities against enemy armor.
Layered Air Defence: Approvals include the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) weapon system for stand-off threats, alongside Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (V-SHORADS) featuring multi-spectral sensing to resist countermeasures.
Tank Survivability & Lethality: Clearance was granted for Active Protection Systems to shield tanks, alongside jet-based kamikaze drone systems to deliver high-lethality electronic warfare strikes cost-effectively.
2. Indian Navy: Maritime Maneuverability & Propulsion Testing
For the Indian Navy, the approvals target enhanced situational awareness and denying adversaries freedom of movement in critical sea lanes.
Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM): Strategic sea mines aimed at severely restricting enemy naval maneuvers during active conflict.
Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS): Sensor-heavy drone units deployed directly from warships to radically expand the fleet’s maritime situational awareness.
Propulsion Innovation: The establishment of a dedicated, Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) to test and evaluate high-tech electric propulsion systems and motors for future-generation warships.
3. Indian Air Force: Persistent High-Altitude Surveillance
The Indian Air Force received a significant capability boost aimed at strengthening its long-endurance operational footprint and intelligence gathering.
Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (FW-HAPS): The DAC cleared the procurement of these specialized platforms to maintain persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).
Secondary Roles: Beyond direct military spying, the FW-HAPS platforms will provide remote sensing and advanced telecommunications capabilities across deep strategic zones.
Breakdown of the ₹52,000-Crore DAC Approvals
| Armed Forces Branch | Approved System / Platform | Core Operational Function |
| Indian Army | AKASH TARANG, MPATGM, MRSAM, V-SHORADS | Drone defense, anti-armor, and layered air cover |
| Indian Army | Jet-Based Kamikaze Drones & Active Tank Protection | Cost-effective lethal strikes and armored survivability |
| Indian Navy | Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM) | Denying maritime maneuverability to adversaries |
| Indian Navy | Naval Shipborne UAS & Land-Based Testing Facility | Advanced fleet ISR and electric propulsion evaluation |
| Indian Air Force | Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (FW-HAPS) | Persistent, long-endurance ISR and telecommunications |
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