Boost for armed forces as Govt approves Purchase of Several Lethal Weapons

New Delhi: Amidst the geopolitical tensions involving the US-Iran and Russia-Ukraine conflicts, India took a significant decision on Friday to bolster its defense capabilities. During a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, 'Acceptance of Necessity' (AoN) was granted for various proposals estimated at a total cost of approximately ₹2.38 lakh crore.

Which wepons will be acquired? 

According to the Ministry of Defence, approvals were granted for the Indian Army to acquire S-400 air defense tracked systems, armor-piercing tank ammunition, high-capacity radio relay systems, Dhanush gun systems, and runway-independent aerial surveillance systems. The approval for the procurement of these formidable weapons has further heightened tensions for nations such as Pakistan and China.

For the Indian Air Force, proposals were approved for the acquisition of Medium Transport Aircraft, the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system, remotely piloted strike aircraft, and for the repair of Su-30 aero-engine components. The induction of Medium Transport Aircraft—intended to replace the existing AN-32 and IL-76 transport fleets—will effectively address the military's strategic, tactical, and operational airlift requirements.

What is the role of S-400?

The Ministry of Defence stated that the S-400 system will counter long-range aerial attacks by adversaries targeting critical areas, while the remotely piloted strike aircraft will be capable of conducting offensive counter-air and coordinated aerial operations. Additionally, these aircraft will undertake covert intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The repair and refurbishment of Su-30 aero-engines and their components will extend the service life of the aircraft, thereby ensuring that the operational requirements of the Air Force are met.

Any Approvals for the Indian Coast Guard?

Furthermore, approval was granted for the procurement of heavy-duty Air Cushion Vehicles (Hovercraft) for the Indian Coast Guard. These vessels will be utilized for a variety of operational tasks along the coastline, including high-speed coastal patrolling, reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, providing assistance to ships, and transporting personnel and logistics. During the financial year 2025-26, the DAC granted AoN (Acceptance of Necessity) for 55 proposals, with a total value of ₹6.73 lakh crore. Furthermore, in the current financial year, capital acquisition contracts have been signed for 503 proposals, amounting to a total value of ₹2.28 lakh crore.