The Defence Acquisition Council has cleared spending worth roughly Rs 1,10,000 crore on new equipment and weapons systems for India’s armed forces. The council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave its in-principle approval on September 7, 2026 for multiple purchase proposals across the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Nearly all these acquisitions will be sourced from Indian manufacturers.
What the armed forces are getting
Indian Army: The Army will acquire vehicles designed to detect chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear contamination. It will also receive high-mobility vehicles meant to improve movement in difficult landscapes, self-propelled machines for laying mines quickly, advanced light helicopters for various terrain operations, specialized tanks for crossing water bodies, and bridging systems to help troops move across obstacles during combat.
Indian Navy: The Navy will get radar systems called Arudhra to replace older equipment at its air stations. It will also develop and procure marine gas turbines, which are engines that power warships and are meant to reduce India’s reliance on foreign suppliers for critical propulsion technology.
Indian Air Force: The Air Force received approval for equipment that strengthens combat capabilities of fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters. Additionally, it will acquire a ground-based multi-purpose jammer to disrupt enemy radar systems. The Air Force will also roll out a new smart card system to replace paper-based identification passes across the armed forces, using radio frequency identification technology.
Around 98 percent of all these purchases will come from Indian industry rather than foreign suppliers.
What this means for you
This decision supports domestic defence manufacturing and reduces India’s dependence on imported military hardware. The purchases represent a significant commitment to modernising the armed forces with equipment tailored to Indian operational needs. This spending will also generate demand within India’s defence manufacturing sector, potentially creating jobs and strengthening the country’s self-reliance in defence production.