Major Push for Indigenization as DAC Sanctions Tri-Service Acquisitions Worth Rs. 1.10 Lakh Crore

New Delhi, Sep 7 (KNN) The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or in-principle administrative approval, to various defence acquisition proposals worth around Rs 1.10 lakh crore.

The approvals were given at a meeting chaired by Rajnath Singh, Raksha Mantri, on September 7, 2026. For the Indian Army, the proposals include Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles, Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers, Advanced Light Helicopters, Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System.

The CBRN Recce Vehicles will support detection, identification, monitoring and marking of areas contaminated by CBRN agents. The High Mobility Vehicles and Mechanical Mine Layers are aimed at improving mobility, logistics and minelaying capabilities in difficult terrain.

The Indian Navy received AoN for Arudhra Radars and the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines. The radars will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations, while the Marine Gas Turbines are intended to reduce dependence on foreign vendors.

For the Indian Air Force, approvals cover proposals to enhance the operational capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopters.

AoN was also granted for Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers and the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) System.

The Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammer will provide jamming capability against adversary radars, while DEFSAC will replace paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based smart cards.

Around 98 per cent of the total procurements approved under the AoNs will be sourced from Indian industry.

(KNN Bureau)