New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Rajnath Singh, on Wednesday cleared capital acquisition proposals worth about ₹3.60 lakh crore, covering new air combat platforms, missiles, surveillance systems and major upgrades across the Air Force, Navy, Army and Coast Guard.
The approvals come at a time when all three Services are facing equipment gaps caused by ageing fleets, rising operational tempo and rapidly evolving regional threats.
Air Force: Rafale-led MRFA package, missiles and stratospheric surveillance
For the Indian Air Force, the council cleared the long-awaited Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme based on Rafale, along with combat missile packages and an air-ship based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) system.
What the Rafale-MRFA decision changes
The MRFA decision is meant to stabilise the Air Force’s frontline fighter strength, which has fallen well below the authorised squadron level over the past decade as MiG-21 and MiG-27 fleets were retired.
Technically, the Rafale brings three operational advantages that directly address current IAF requirements:
- Deep strike and stand-off operations: With long-range cruise and precision-guided weapons, the aircraft can strike defended targets without crossing dense air-defence zones.
- Sensor fusion and electronic warfare: The aircraft integrates radar, infrared sensors and electronic support measures into a single tactical picture, improving survivability against modern surface-to-air missile networks.
- Network-centric operations: Rafale can operate as part of a multi-platform combat network, sharing target data with airborne early warning aircraft and ground-based command centres.
According to the government’s plan, the majority of the MRFA aircraft will be manufactured in India, marking a shift from previous large fighter acquisitions that were largely import driven. This is expected to significantly expand domestic aerospace manufacturing capability in airframe structures, avionics installation and systems integration.
One of the key contractual requirements is full integration of Indian weapons on the Rafale platform, allowing future upgrades and mission planning without dependence on foreign clearances.
Combat missiles and AS-HAPS
The Air Force approvals also include combat missiles as part of the MRFA weapons package, including long-range cruise missiles such as SCALP, which provide deep strike capability with high accuracy.
In addition, the DAC cleared the AS-HAPS system, a stratospheric, long-endurance platform designed to operate far above conventional unmanned aerial vehicles.
Technically, AS-HAPS fills a unique gap between satellites and drones. Operating in the stratosphere, it can remain over a specific area for extended periods and support:
- persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,
- electronic intelligence collection,
- communications relay and
- remote sensing.
Unlike satellites, such platforms can be repositioned quickly and maintained at significantly lower cost.
Navy: P-8I aircraft and indigenous shipboard power generation
For the Indian Navy, the DAC cleared procurement of a P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a 4 MW marine gas turbine based electric power generator.
P-8I: strengthening undersea and surface surveillance
The P-8I is the Navy’s primary long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. It combines long endurance with advanced surface-search radar, acoustic sensors and real-time data links.
The additional aircraft will improve the Navy’s ability to:
- track submarines and surface combatants over large stretches of the Indian Ocean,
- support carrier battle groups and task forces, and
- conduct maritime strike and real-time surveillance missions.
With increasing submarine deployments in the wider Indian Ocean region, naval planners see expanded P-8I availability as a key element of India’s maritime domain awareness strategy.
4 MW marine gas turbine power generator
The Navy will also induct a 4 MW marine gas turbine based electric power generator under the Make-I category.
This system is intended for shipboard and naval power requirements and is designed to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for critical propulsion and power-generation equipment. From a technical perspective, indigenous power-generation systems simplify maintenance, spare management and lifecycle upgrades for warships built in Indian shipyards.
Army: anti-tank obstacles and fleet life-extension
For the Indian Army, the council approved:
- Vibhav anti-tank mines, and
- the overhaul of vehicle platforms of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 tanks and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles.
The Vibhav mine system is intended to be deployed as a rapid anti-tank obstacle, designed to slow or channel mechanised forces during high-intensity ground operations.
Equally significant is the platform overhaul programme. Upgrading the mobility, recovery and combat support fleets of ARVs, T-72s and BMP-II vehicles is aimed at extending operational life and avoiding capability gaps until next-generation armoured platforms enter service.
From a logistics and readiness perspective, life-extension programmes are often faster and far more cost-effective than complete fleet replacement.
Coast Guard: improved airborne maritime surveillance
For the Indian Coast Guard, the DAC cleared procurement of electro-optical and infra-red sensor systems for Dornier aircraft.
These sensors significantly improve detection and identification capability during:
- coastal surveillance,
- search and rescue operations, and
- monitoring of illegal activities at sea.
The upgrade strengthens day-and-night and all-weather maritime awareness along India’s coastline and island territories.
The Atmanirbhar focus
Across all major approvals, localisation and industrial capability have been built directly into the acquisition structure.
“The approvals are aimed at urgently strengthening India’s air and maritime combat capabilities, while also ensuring greater integration of Indian systems and industry participation under the Atmanirbhar Bharat push,” a senior defence official said.
Beyond fighter production, the indigenous naval power generator, domestic manufacturing of MRFA aircraft and Indian weapon integration collectively point to a procurement strategy that prioritises long-term industrial depth, not only immediate operational needs.
Defence industry analysts note that aerospace manufacturing for MRFA, in particular, can help Indian firms move from component supply to higher-value activities such as systems integration, testing and certification.
What has been cleared
The DAC has accorded Acceptance of Necessity for:
- MRFA (Rafale-based) fighter aircraft, associated combat missiles, including long-range cruise missiles such as SCALP, and AS-HAPS systems for the Indian Air Force,
- P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a 4 MW marine gas turbine based electric power generator for the Indian Navy,
- Vibhav anti-tank mines and overhaul of ARVs, T-72 tanks and BMP-II platforms for the Indian Army, and
- electro-optical and infra-red surveillance systems for Coast Guard Dornier aircraft.
The combined value of all approvals is about ₹3.60 lakh crore.
What happens next
All the decisions are at the Acceptance of Necessity stage, which allows detailed commercial negotiations, technical finalisation and contract structuring to begin. Final contracts will still require approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security.
For the Air Force, negotiations will centre on delivery schedules, manufacturing share in India, weapons integration and long-term maintenance arrangements. For the Navy and Army, timelines for induction and platform upgrades will be finalised during the next procurement phase.
Taken together, the approvals represent one of the most wide-ranging multi-service modernisation steps in recent years, combining frontline combat capability, persistent surveillance, fleet sustainment and a clear industrial self-reliance push.
About the Author
