Overview
- The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, had been slated for December 26 to weigh high-priority proposals focused on operational readiness and self-reliance.
- Items awaiting consideration include the Navy’s requirement for additional MR-SAMs, a homegrown air defence system to protect Delhi-NCR, and roughly 850 loitering munitions for the Army.
- The Air Force docket features development and large-scale procurement of Astra Mk-2 air-to-air missiles, a specified quantity of Meteor missiles, and more Spice-1000 precision weapons from Israel.
- The council is expected to review leasing two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for about three years, separate from the signed 31-aircraft deal with deliveries beginning in 2028.
- Further proposals likely to be taken up include overhauling about 200 T-90 tanks through a DPSU, acquiring six mid-air refuellers with IAI as the sole vendor, and developing 120 km-range Pinaka rockets.