New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI): The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a series of procurement proposals for the three armed services, amounting to approximately Rs 79,000 crore, aimed at significantly enhancing India’s defence capabilities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the approvals were granted during a DAC meeting held on December 29, 2025. For the Indian Army, AoN was approved for the procurement of loiter munition systems for artillery regiments, low-level lightweight radars, long-range guided rocket ammunition for the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), and the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II.
The loiter munition systems will be used for precision strikes against tactical targets, while the low-level lightweight radars will enable detection and tracking of small-sized, low-flying unmanned aerial systems. The long-range guided rockets are expected to enhance the range and accuracy of the Pinaka MLRS, enabling effective engagement of high-value targets. The Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II, with an enhanced operational range, will strengthen the protection of vital Army assets in both tactical battle areas and hinterland locations, the ministry said.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved AoN for the procurement of bollard pull tugs, high-frequency software-defined radios (HF SDR) in manpack configuration, and the leasing of High Altitude Long Range (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The induction of bollard pull tugs will assist naval ships and submarines in berthing, unberthing, and maneuvering in confined waters and harbors. The HF SDRs will enhance long-range secure communications during boarding and landing operations, while the HALE RPAS will ensure continuous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, strengthening maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region, the ministry noted.
For the Indian Air Force, AoN was granted for the procurement of Automatic Take-off and Landing Recording Systems, Astra Mk-II air-to-air missiles, full mission simulators, and SPICE-1000 long-range guidance kits, among other equipment.
The Automatic Take-off and Landing Recording Systems are expected to address gaps in the aerospace safety environment by providing high-definition, all-weather automatic recording of aircraft take-offs and landings. Astra Mk-II missiles, with their enhanced range, will significantly improve the ability of fighter aircraft to neutralize adversary targets from extended stand-off distances. The full mission simulator for the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas will strengthen pilot training in a cost-effective and safe manner, while the SPICE-1000 guidance kits will enhance the Indian Air Force’s long-range precision strike capability, the Ministry of Defence said.
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