India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted in-principle approval for military procurement proposals valued at INR2.12 trillion (US$22.5 billion), covering requirements of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The approvals were given at a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 26 October 2026.
The package includes artillery, helicopters, unmanned platforms, naval systems and weather radars. The Ministry of Defence said 82% of the proposed acquisitions would be sourced from Indian industry, placing domestic participation at the centre of the procurement plan. The approval concerns acquisition proposals at the in-principle stage, while the requirements will proceed through the applicable procurement process.
Army package includes more K9 Vajra-T guns
For the Indian Army, the proposals cover equipment intended for mobility, surveillance, air defence and protection against unmanned aerial threats. The artillery component includes 335 additional K9 Vajra-T 155mm L/52 self-propelled howitzers. The tracked guns are intended to provide mechanised formations with greater mobility and firepower.
Larsen & Toubro and Hanwha secured the first contract for 100 K9 Vajra-T systems in May 2017. A further order for 100 was placed in December 2024. The latest DAC approval is for an additional requirement and is not itself a delivery announcement.
- High-mobility trucks and tracked self-propelled howitzers
- Gunshot response systems and very short-range air defence systems
- Platform-based counter-unmanned aerial systems
- Long-range and surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles
- An integrated surveillance and strike system
- Long-range kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle systems
The Ministry of Defence said the very short-range air defence system (VSHORADS) requirement is aimed at countering new-generation small aerial threats. The platform-based counter-unmanned aerial system is intended to improve tank survivability. The proposals for long-range and surveillance UAVs, along with the integrated surveillance and strike system, would add to the Army’s planned unmanned and networked surveillance capabilities.
Joint helicopter requirement for Army and Air Force
The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force will also move ahead with the acquisition of light multirole helicopters. The requirement continues the long-running Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter programme and involves approximately 400 helicopters.
| Requirement | Details announced |
|---|---|
| Light multirole helicopters | Approximately 400 for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force |
| Proposed sourcing | A foreign type assembled under licence in India and the indigenous Light Utility Helicopter from HAL |
| Special utility helicopters | Approved for the Indian Air Force, including VVIP missions |
The helicopter plan is divided between a foreign design to be assembled under licence in India and the indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The IAF has separately received approval for special utility helicopters capable of undertaking VVIP missions. The service currently operates Mi-17 helicopters in that role.
Beyond the Army and air arm requirements, the DAC package also includes naval systems and weather radars. The announcement therefore spans combat support, surveillance, air defence, logistics mobility and maritime capability. The stated Indian-industry share is expected to make the package relevant not only to the armed forces’ equipment plans but also to domestic manufacturing under the procurement framework.
Because the decision is an in-principle approval for capital acquisition proposals, the announcement identifies requirements and procurement direction rather than confirming completed contracts or deliveries. The precise suppliers, quantities for several categories and delivery schedules will depend on the subsequent acquisition process.
