New Delhi: In a bold stride towards fortifying India’s defences amid rising border threats, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has greenlit a whopping Rs 79,000 crore procurement bonanza for the armed forces – the largest single-package approval since Operation Sindoor showcased the military’s mettle.
Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at South Block, the high-stakes meeting saw chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force hashing out upgrades that promise to turbocharge tri-service firepower, blending homegrown innovation with a lethal edge.
At the heart of the Army’s arsenal boost is the procurement of 2,408 Nag anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) Mk-II, mounted on tracked Nag Missile Carriers (NAMIS). Developed by DRDO with a pinpoint 10 km range, these fire-and-forget beasts are tailor-made to obliterate enemy tanks, bunkers, and fortifications in diverse terrains – a direct riposte to armoured aggressions along tense frontiers.
Complementing them are Ground-Based Mobile ELINT Systems (GBMES) for round-the-clock electronic intelligence on foe emitters, and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) with material-handling cranes to supercharge logistics in rugged zones.
The Navy also receives recognition for its Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), which facilitate seamless joint amphibious operations with Army and Air Force units, as well as humanitarian missions and disaster relief efforts. Other gems include 30mm Naval Surface Guns (NSG) for low-intensity maritime patrols and anti-piracy operations; Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes (ALWT)— DRDO’s indigenous submarine slayers targeting conventional, nuclear, and midget threats; Electro-Optical Infra-Red Search and Track Systems; and smart ammo for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mounts.
For the Air Force, the spotlight falls on the Collaborative Long-Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS-DS), swarms of autonomous combat drones primed for auto take-off, navigation, detection, and precision strikes in hostile skies.
This Atmanirbhar Bharat-driven spree not only slashes import reliance but signals India’s unyielding resolve: from Sindoor’s triumphs to future battlefields, the tricolour stands unbreakable.
As global tensions simmer, these acquisitions could redefine regional power plays – watch this space for the procurement fireworks!