Overview
- The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity for proposals worth about Rs 1.10 lakh crore on Monday, September 7, allowing the projects to advance to procurement steps.
- Approvals cover the three services and include Navy Arudhra radars and the design and development of Marine Gas Turbines, Army CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, high‑mobility vehicles, self‑propelled mine layers, advanced light helicopters and bridge systems, and Air Force ground‑based multi‑purpose jammers and secure access cards.
- The package emphasises indigenisation, with the defence ministry saying roughly 98% of the approved items are expected to be sourced from Indian industry and some items, like marine gas turbines, set for domestic design and development.
- These AoNs are administrative green lights that do not award contracts but permit next steps such as requests for proposals or development contracts, and the council’s agenda also included reported sustainment actions such as overhaul plans for about 40 Su‑30MKIs and procurement of 2,500 software defined radios.
- Beyond new kit, the approvals prioritise lifecycle support and readiness by extending platform serviceability and boosting domestic supply chains, a shift that could speed future deliveries and expand jobs in India’s defence industry.