Strategic Buyout of Advanced Systems Strengthens Indian Armed Forces
The Defence Ministry, under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has provisionally approved a suite of capital procurement projects worth about 52,000 crore rupees. The Defence Acquisition Council’s endorsement is aimed at reinforcing the combat power, surveillance networks, air‑defence shield and future‑warfare preparedness of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Key acquisitions include the anti‑drone electronic warfare solution “Aakash Tarang”, a man‑portable anti‑tank guided missile, a medium‑range surface‑to‑air missile, a very short‑range air‑defence module, active protection systems for tanks and a jet‑powered kamikaze drone.
The “Aakash Tarang” system will protect forward troops and strategic bases from hostile UAV incursions by locating, jamming and neutralising them. The anti‑tank missile will boost infantry firepower against enemy tanks and armoured vehicles, enhancing lethality on the forward front.
The medium‑range and ultra‑short‑range air‑defence solutions are crafted to intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and other aerial threats, even in electronically contested environments. Active protection kits will destroy incoming missiles and rockets targeted at tanks, increasing survivability in high‑intensity conflict zones.
The jet‑based kamikaze drones, with superior speed, advanced electronic‑warfare payloads, higher killing power and lower cost, are expected to play a decisive role in future combat scenarios.
Naval clearances cover multi‑effect sea mines, ship‑launched unmanned aerial systems and the establishment of a land‑based testing facility for electric propulsion technology. Sea mines will restrict enemy warship movements, while UAVs will extend maritime surveillance, detect anomalies and feed real‑time intelligence to command centres. The propulsion test site will support trials of future electric‑drive vessels.
The Air Force will acquire a fixed‑wing high‑altitude pseudo‑satellite system, among other proposals. This state‑of‑the‑art platform will remain aloft at high altitudes for prolonged periods, delivering intelligence, surveillance, communication and remote‑sensing services, thereby ensuring uninterrupted monitoring of border and strategic zones.
The Defence Acquisition Council’s approval is hailed as a vital milestone in India’s defence modernisation and self‑reliance agenda, promising a substantial uplift in combat readiness, technological edge and the ability to meet forthcoming security challenges.