Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 3: In a major push to indigenous defence manufacturing, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared 10 proposals worth approximately Rs 1.05 lakh crore for the procurement of critical military hardware. All acquisitions will be made through domestic sources, reinforcing India’s commitment to Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence.
The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a range of equipment, including Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Surface-to-Air Missiles, Electronic Warfare Systems, and an Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services. According to the Defence Ministry, these procurements aim to enhance mobility, improve air defence capabilities, streamline logistics, and strengthen operational readiness across the armed forces.
Additional approvals include Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Super Rapid Gun Mounts, and Submersible Autonomous Vessels, aimed at bolstering naval security and safeguarding commercial maritime routes.
All items will be acquired under the Buy (Indian – Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured) category, offering a further boost to local industry and technological innovation.
Record Surge in Indigenous Production
The announcement comes alongside new data highlighting a significant jump in domestic defence production. India’s indigenous defence output has reached an all-time high of Rs 1.46 lakh crore in FY 2024–25, with exports also surging to Rs 24,000 crore — a dramatic leap from just Rs 600–700 crore a decade ago.
“Ten to eleven years ago, our defence production stood at Rs 43,000 crore. Today, it has crossed Rs 1.46 lakh crore. The private sector alone has contributed over Rs 32,000 crore,” said Rajnath Singh at the CII Annual Summit, praising the Make-in-India drive as vital for both national security and economic strength.
India now exports weapons, systems, components, and defence services to nearly 100 countries, with over 16,000 MSMEs playing a vital role in the supply chain. These companies, Singh added, are not only fortifying the self-reliance mission but also generating employment for lakhs of people across the country.
AMCA Programme: Private Sector’s Big Leap
The Defence Minister also revealed a transformative opportunity for the private sector through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The initiative will, for the first time, allow private firms to collaborate alongside public sector entities in a mega defence project.
Citing the success of ‘Operation Sindoor’, Singh noted how indigenous platforms and technologies have proven their strength in live operations, further validating India's capability to develop and deploy world-class systems.
“With these strategic steps, India is not just becoming self-reliant, but a global player in the defence domain,” he concluded.