India Approves ₹79,000 Crore Military Hardware Procurement for Defense Boost

India greenlights ₹79,000 crore defense procurement, boosting indigenous military capabilities.

Photo by Ainur Khakimov

India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved capital acquisition proposals worth ₹79,000 crore, primarily from domestic sources, under the 'Buy Indian-IDDM' (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category. This significant move aims to bolster the country's defense capabilities and promote self-reliance in military production.

Key procurements include the Astra Mk-II Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles, advanced Light Weight Torpedoes, and loiter munitions, along with upgrades for Dornier aircraft and naval utility helicopters. This push for indigenous defense manufacturing is crucial for India's strategic autonomy and economic growth, aligning with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

मुख्य तथ्य

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved capital acquisition proposals worth ₹79,000 crore

Procurements are primarily from domestic sources under 'Buy Indian-IDDM' category

Key items include Astra Mk-II missiles, advanced Light Weight Torpedoes, loiter munitions

Upgrades for Dornier aircraft and naval utility helicopters

UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

Polity & Governance: Role and functions of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), Ministry of Defence structure and decision-making.

Economy: Impact of indigenous defence manufacturing on GDP, employment generation, private sector participation, FDI in defence, and export potential.

Internal Security & International Relations: Strategic autonomy, India's defence preparedness, regional security dynamics, arms control, and defence diplomacy.

Science & Technology: Defence R&D, development of critical technologies (missiles, torpedoes, drones), role of DRDO, private industry, and academia in innovation.

दृश्य सामग्री

India's Latest Defence Procurement Boost (2025)

Highlights the key financial and policy aspects of the recent ₹79,000 Crore military hardware procurement, emphasizing the 'Buy Indian-IDDM' initiative.

Total Procurement Value Approved: ₹79,000 Crore
Primary Procurement Category: Buy Indian-IDDM
Indigenous Content Requirement (IDDM): Min. 50%
Key Procured Items: Astra Mk-II Missiles, Light Torpedoes, Loiter Munitions

और जानकारी

पृष्ठभूमि

India has historically been one of the world's largest arms importers, a legacy stemming from its post-independence defence needs and limited indigenous manufacturing capabilities. While public sector undertakings (PSUs) were established, technology gaps and reliance on foreign suppliers persisted.

The Kargil War (1999) served as a critical turning point, highlighting deficiencies in defence preparedness and the urgent need for faster acquisition and greater indigenization. This led to significant reforms in defence procurement processes, aiming to enhance self-reliance and strategic autonomy.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

The recent approval by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for capital acquisition proposals worth ₹79,000 crore, primarily under the 'Buy Indian-IDDM' (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, underscores India's intensified commitment to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) in defence. This substantial investment aims to bolster domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependence, create employment opportunities, foster research and development, and ultimately strengthen India's strategic autonomy. The procurement includes critical systems like Astra Mk-II Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles, advanced Light Weight Torpedoes, and loiter munitions, along with upgrades for existing platforms.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. With reference to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in India, consider the following statements: 1. It is the highest decision-making body in the Ministry of Defence for new procurement. 2. The Union Minister of Defence chairs the DAC. 3. All capital acquisition proposals, irrespective of their value, must be approved by the DAC before being processed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: A

Statement 1 is correct. The DAC is indeed the highest decision-making body for defence procurement. Statement 2 is correct. The Union Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the DAC. Statement 3 is incorrect. While the DAC approves major capital acquisition proposals, there are financial thresholds below which certain proposals can be approved by other authorities within the Ministry of Defence or the Services Headquarters, as per the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP). Not 'all' proposals irrespective of value require DAC approval.

2. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Buy Indian-IDDM' category under India's Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP): 1. It prioritizes procurement of defence equipment that is indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured. 2. The equipment must have an indigenous content of at least 50% of the total cost. 3. It allows for technology transfer from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to Indian entities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct. 'Buy Indian-IDDM' (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) is indeed the highest priority category for defence procurement, focusing on equipment that meets all three criteria. Statement 2 is correct. As per the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), for a product to qualify under the IDDM category, it must have an indigenous content of at least 50% of the total cost. Statement 3 is incorrect. While technology transfer is a crucial aspect of defence indigenization, it is primarily facilitated under other 'Make' or 'Strategic Partnership' categories, or 'Buy Global with Indian participation' categories, rather than 'Buy Indian-IDDM' which specifically focuses on already indigenously designed and developed products. The IDDM category aims to leverage existing Indian capabilities rather than primarily seeking new technology transfer for design and development.

3. In the context of India's defence capabilities, match the following weapon systems with their primary characteristics: List-I (Weapon System) List-II (Primary Characteristic) I. Astra Mk-II 1. Air-to-air missile designed for beyond visual range engagements II. Light Weight Torpedo 2. Precision-guided munition capable of loitering over a target area III. Loiter Munition 3. Underwater weapon used against submarines and surface vessels Select the correct matching using the code given below:

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: A

I. Astra Mk-II: This is an advanced Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed by DRDO, designed to engage aerial targets at long ranges. So, I-1 is correct. II. Light Weight Torpedo: Torpedoes are self-propelled underwater weapons designed to be launched from submarines, ships, or aircraft to attack other submarines or surface vessels. Light weight torpedoes are typically used from aircraft or smaller surface vessels against submarines. So, II-3 is correct. III. Loiter Munition: Also known as a 'suicide drone' or 'kamikaze drone', it is a class of aerial weapon systems that loiter (wait) around a target area for some time, searching for targets, and attack once a target is located. So, III-2 is correct.

4. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in the defence sector?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: C

Statement A is correct. A primary goal of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in defence is indeed to reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic manufacturing. Statement B is correct. The corporatization of OFB into seven new Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and active encouragement of the private sector are key components of this initiative. Statement D is correct. Promoting defence exports is a stated objective, aiming to make India a net defence exporter. Statement C is NOT correct. While 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' emphasizes indigenization, it does not mandate a complete ban on all defence imports. Instead, it focuses on creating a 'positive indigenisation list' (earlier known as negative import list) of items that will be progressively banned from import, thereby encouraging domestic production for those specific items, while allowing imports for others where indigenous capabilities are still developing or not feasible.