DAC defence procurement India has reached a landmark scale, with the Defence Acquisition Council approving ₹2.38 lakh crore in capital proposals covering the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard. This latest round of DAC defence procurement India has approved marks a record for any single financial year.

DAC Defence Procurement India — Army Gets Air Defence, Artillery and Communications Boost

The Indian Army received AoN for several high-priority systems that address long standing gaps in its operational inventory.

The Air Defence Tracked System is among the most significant approvals. It will provide integrated real time control and reporting for air defence operations, giving field commanders a sharper picture of aerial threats across sectors.

The DAC also cleared Armour Piercing Tank Ammunition, aimed at reinforcing anti armour capabilities at the unit level. This approval signals a continued focus on ground-level lethality in high-intensity conflict scenarios.

In the communications domain, the High Capacity Radio Relay system will enable reliable data and voice transmission in operationally challenging environments, a critical enabler for networked warfare.

The Dhanush Gun System, India’s indigenous 155mm/45-calibre towed artillery piece, has also been approved under this tranche. Its extended range and cross-terrain accuracy make it a valued asset for mountain and plains based formations.

Rounding out the Army clearances, the Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System will extend the service’s persistent surveillance reach into forward areas without dependence on fixed air infrastructure. These are among the key systems cleared under this DAC defence procurement India cycle.

IAF to Receive Transport Aircraft, S-400 Missiles and Strike Drones

The Indian Air Force secured approval for some of the most strategically significant platforms in this round of clearances.

The procurement of Medium Transport Aircraft addresses a requirement that has been pending for well over a decade. The ageing AN-32 and IL-76 fleets have long needed a modern successor, and the cleared platforms are expected to handle both strategic and tactical airlift missions.

Additional S-400 Triumf long-range surface-to-air missile systems have also received the go-ahead. The S-400 provides layered protection against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft, with a reach extending several hundred kilometres. The additional procurement significantly bolsters India’s ability to defend key installations from long range aerial threats.

The DAC also cleared Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft, a reflection of how seriously the IAF is integrating unmanned platforms into its offensive posture. These systems will carry out strike missions alongside intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles, reducing crew risk in contested airspace.

Finally, approval was granted for the overhaul of Su-30MKI aero engine aggregates, which will extend the service life of India’s largest fighter fleet and keep operational availability rates from slipping further.

Coast Guard to Deploy Air Cushion Vehicles for Coastal Security

The Indian Coast Guard’s AoN covers Heavy Duty Air Cushion Vehicles, amphibious platforms capable of high speed operations across water, mud flats, and beaches. Their versatility makes them well suited to patrolling India’s complex coastline, as well as search and rescue and logistics support in difficult to access areas.

A Record Year for India’s Defence Acquisition

The latest approvals push cumulative AoN accorded in FY 2025–26 to 55 proposals totalling ₹6.73 lakh crore, the highest in any single financial year to date.

Capital procurement contracts worth ₹2.28 lakh crore have also been signed across 503 proposals during the current fiscal. Defence Ministry officials confirmed the combined figure represents a record, underlining the government’s accelerated pace of military modernisation.

Taken together, this round of DAC defence procurement reflects a strategic intent to reduce operational gaps across all three services, on the ground, in the air, and at sea, reflecting how DAC defence procurement India has accelerated under the current government’s modernisation push.