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Wednesday, September 23, 2026 6:11 AM

defence manufacturing

DAC Clears Defence Acquisition Proposals Worth Over ₹1.10 Lakh Crore

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposals worth more than ₹1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Armed Forces, with around 98 per cent of the procurements expected to be sourced from Indian industry. For the Indian Army, the approvals include Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers (MMLs), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System. The CBRN Recce Vehicles will help detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by hazardous CBRN agents. HMVs are expected to strengthen troop mobility, logistics and operational support in difficult terrain, while MMLs will enable rapid and responsive mine-laying operations. The ALHs will support complex missions across diverse terrains and operational conditions. Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System will provide fighting formations with essential crossing capabilities during military operations across varied terrain. For the Indian Navy, the DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity for the acquisition of Arudhra Radars and for the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines (MGTs). The Arudhra systems will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various naval air stations. The indigenous development of MGTs, which are used for warship propulsion, is also aimed at reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. For the Indian Air Force, the Council cleared several proposals aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport platforms and helicopters. Approval was also given for Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJs) and the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) system. The GBMPJ is designed to disrupt and jam adversary radar systems, while DEFSAC will replace paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable smart cards based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The latest approvals underline the government’s push towards greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with the overwhelming majority of the proposed acquisitions expected to benefit domestic defence companies and strengthen India’s indigenous military-industrial capabilities. Source: News on AIR

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Rajnath Singh Highlights Economic Strength as Key Driver of India’s Defence Growth at Vibrant Gujarat Summit

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has underscored the critical connection between economic strength and national security, stating that a strong economy is the backbone of a nation’s defence capabilities. Speaking at the valedictory session of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara, he said India’s growing industrial capacity is paving the way for greater self-reliance in the defence sector. Highlighting Gujarat’s industrial potential, Singh expressed confidence that the state is well-positioned to become a global centre for defence manufacturing, driven by its expanding footprint in sectors such as chemicals, electronics, shipbuilding, and renewable energy. He pointed to India’s remarkable progress in indigenous defence production, noting that the country’s domestic defence manufacturing output has risen sharply from ₹46,000 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹1.78 lakh crore today, reflecting the government’s continued push towards strengthening the country’s self-sufficiency in strategic sectors. Singh also highlighted Vadodara’s growing significance in India’s aerospace ecosystem, mentioning the establishment of the country’s first private-sector military aircraft manufacturing facility, where Tata Group and Airbus are jointly producing the Airbus C-295 transport aircraft — a milestone development for India’s defence manufacturing ambitions. Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced that agreements worth ₹3.34 lakh crore were signed during the two-day summit. These investments are expected to create over 1.97 lakh employment opportunities, providing a major boost to the region’s economic growth and industrial development in the near future. Source: News on AIR

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India Clears Indigenous Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet Project AMCA, DRDO to Spearhead Development

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India has formally given the green light to its ambitious fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This move marks a major stride in strengthening the country’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and aerospace innovation. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Tuesday that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for the AMCA programme, which will be led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a key arm of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The decision follows the Cabinet Committee on Security’s (CCS) prior approval of the project in March 2024. “In a significant push towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is set to execute the programme through Industry partnership,” the MoD said in a statement. The ministry also confirmed that the ADA is expected to soon release an Expression of Interest (EoI) to kick-start the development phase of the AMCA. This step will pave the way for creating the aircraft’s prototype. While no official timeline has been specified in the recent announcement, earlier reports suggested a prototype might be ready within three years of the go-ahead, with a maiden flight potentially occurring within a year to 18 months after that. The AMCA is expected to feature advanced stealth technology, positioning India among an elite group of nations—such as the United States, Russia, and China—that have developed fifth-generation fighter jets. However, past delays and budgetary constraints have raised concerns about the project’s viability and timelines. The green signal for AMCA comes at a crucial moment for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is grappling with a significant shortfall in its fighter squadron strength. The IAF currently operates around 29 squadrons—well below the sanctioned strength of 41. This shortfall has raised alarms, particularly given India’s increasingly tense security environment, with mounting threats from both Pakistan and China. The slow pace of aircraft procurement and challenges in domestic defence development have further exacerbated these concerns among military planners. The AMCA project is seen as a key initiative to not only bolster the IAF’s capabilities but also to catalyse the growth of India’s aerospace sector through industry partnerships and indigenous innovation. Source: Firstpost  

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