India Clears Mega Defence Deal Worth ₹1.05 Lakh Crore to Boost Indigenous Military Capabilities

In a major push towards self-reliance and modernisation of the armed forces, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposals worth over ₹1.05 lakh crore. All ten proposals were cleared under the ‘Buy (Indian–IDDM)’ category, which prioritises systems that are indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured.

This strategic decision comes at a time when India is rapidly enhancing its defence capabilities in response to evolving security challenges. The approvals span across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and are aimed at strengthening the country’s operational readiness on both land and sea.

Key Systems Approved

Among the systems approved for procurement is the Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV), essential for supporting and retrieving disabled tanks and armoured vehicles during combat. These vehicles significantly enhance battlefield mobility and logistics by ensuring continuous movement and serviceability of armoured formations.

The Army will also benefit from advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems, designed to intercept, jam, and disrupt enemy communications and radar systems. These systems improve battlefield awareness and survivability by reducing the adversary’s electronic advantage.

For joint operations across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the DAC cleared the Integrated Common Inventory Management System (ICIMS). This tri-service platform will improve inventory tracking, logistics coordination, and reduce redundancy across services, making military supply chains more efficient.

Boost to Air and Naval Defences

The approval of Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) systems is another major highlight. These systems are critical for defending key military installations, command centres, and strategic assets from aerial threats including enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles.

For the Indian Navy, the DAC has cleared several acquisitions to enhance maritime warfare and underwater surveillance capabilities. These include:

• Moored Mines: Used for harbour defence, these are anchored explosive devices designed to deter or destroy enemy vessels.

• Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs): These specialised ships detect and neutralise naval mines, ensuring safe passage for both military and commercial ships.

• Super Rapid Gun Mounts (SRGM): Naval guns capable of high rates of fire, essential for air defence and surface engagements.

• Submersible Autonomous Vessels (SAVs): Unmanned underwater vehicles equipped for mine detection, reconnaissance, and surveillance.

Promoting ‘Make in India’

The DAC’s move is aligned with the Indian government’s push for ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing. By approving all proposals under the ‘Buy (Indian–IDDM)’ category, the government is ensuring that Indian defence firms and domestic suppliers play a central role in supplying cutting-edge systems to the armed forces.

This policy not only reduces dependence on foreign vendors but also fosters innovation and high-tech manufacturing within the country. Indian companies will now be responsible for both the production and support of these systems, creating job opportunities and advancing indigenous R&D in defence technology.

With this record-setting approval, India is taking a significant leap in transforming its armed forces into a more modern, self-sufficient, and technologically advanced military. The ₹1.05 lakh crore investment is not just about procuring new weapons and systems—it’s a strong statement of intent to develop a robust domestic defence ecosystem that can meet both current and future challenges.