3 min readNew DelhiDec 30, 2025 06:00 AM IST
First published on: Dec 30, 2025 at 06:00 AM IST
THE Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday approved proposals for a range of procurements, worth around Rs 79,000 crore, for the Armed Forces.
The DAC’s grant of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) paves way for the procurement of multiple platforms and weapon systems — both indigenous and foreign — such as Loiter Munition System for the Army’s Artillery Regiments, Low Level Light Weight Radars and Astra Mk-II Missiles and SPICE-1000 Long Range Guidance Kits, among others.
The DAC has also approved leasing of the High Altitude Long Range (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) for the Navy.
The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is the primary body responsible for approving major capital acquisitions in defence. The first step in the defence procurement process is the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). However, obtaining an AoN does not always lead to a final order.
According to a statement from the Defence Ministry, proposals to procure Loiter Munition System for the Army’s Artillery Regiments, Low Level Light Weight Radars, Long Range Guided Rocket Ammunition for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MRLS) and Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II have been cleared for the Army.
It adds that Loiter Munitions would be used for precision strike of tactical targets, whereas Low Level Light Weight Radars will detect and track small size, low flying Unmanned Aerial Systems.
The Indian Express had earlier reported that the Army is considering a significant enhancement of its air defence and surveillance network along northern and western borders by way of procuring a range of radars, which would be capable of detecting, tracking and engaging aerial objects with a low radar cross section that makes them difficult to detect.
During Operation Sindoor in May 2025, swarms of drones from across the border had crossed over into the Indian airspace.
The indigenous Long Range Guided Rockets will enhance the range and accuracy of Pinaka MRLS for effective engagement of high-value targets and the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mk-II with enhanced range will protect the vital assets of the Army in the Tactical Battle Area and Hinterland.
For the IAF, AoN was approved for the procurement of Automatic Take-off Landing Recording System, Full Mission Simulator and more significantly the indigenous Astra Mk-II Missiles and the Israeli SPICE-1000 Long Range Guidance Kits.
Astra Mk-II missiles with an enhanced range of over 200 km will increase the capability of the fighter jets like Sukhoi 30 and LCA Tejas — to take out adversary aircraft from a large standoff range.
For the Navy, AoN was accorded for the procurement of Bollard Pull (BP) Tugs, High Frequency Software Defined Radios (HF SDR) Manpack and for leasing HALE RPAS.
The Navy currently operates two Sea Guardians on lease and the AoN granted is to extend their lease period.
Last year, India and the United States had inked a deal of around $3.5 billion or over Rs 28,000 crore to procure 31 MQ-9B HALE RPAS for the Indian Armed Forces.
Procurements include Astra Mk-II missiles, radars & loiter munitions. (File/Representational) 
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