From Sukhoi-30 to mine-laying systems: How India plans to counter twin China-Pakistan challenge with Rs 1.1 lakh crore upgrade list
The latest approvals take the total value of proposals cleared this year to Rs 1.6 lakh crore, while the total value of proposals cleared since 2025 has reached Rs 13 lakh crore. The plan to boost the Indian Air Force’s capabilities also includes a pilot project to integrate Russian-origin RVV-BD long-range air-to-air missiles with Sukhoi-30 fighters, people aware of the matter said.
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CBRN recce vehicles to detect and mark contamination
The CBRN reconnaissance vehicles will be designed to detect and identify hazardous chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents in the field. They will also monitor contamination levels in operational zones and mark contaminated areas to alert and protect advancing troops.
Arudhra radars for naval air stations
The Arudhra radars will replace existing air route surveillance radars at various naval air stations. The systems are part of the capabilities approved for the Navy under the latest DAC proposals.
Ground-based jammer to counter adversary radars
The ground-based multi-purpose jammer (GBMPJ) cleared for the IAF will provide effective jamming against the radars of adversaries. The DAC has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the system.
Marine gas turbines to reduce foreign dependence
The DAC has accorded AoN for the design, development and subsequent procurement of marine gas turbines (MGT) for the Navy. The MGT is a warship propulsion system intended to reduce dependence on foreign vendors.
High-mobility vehicles for difficult terrain
The high-mobility vehicles approved for the Army will enhance operational capabilities, logistics support and mobility in challenging terrain, the Defence Ministry said.
Trawl tanks designed to clear minefields
The Indian Army uses specially equipped T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks fitted with indigenous minefield-breaching systems. Developed by DRDO, the trawl assembly is designed to safely trigger, neutralise and clear landmines, including those with complex proximity magnetic fuses.
The system includes heavy trawl rollers, track-width mine ploughs and electromagnetic devices to handle different types of active and passive landmines.
Sarvatra bridge system for Army crossings
The DRDO Sarvatra Bridge System is a truck-mounted, multi-span mobile bridging system manufactured by BEML Limited. The core 15-metre variant has an MLC-70 rating and can support the 68-tonne Arjun Main Battle Tank.
A single span is 15 metres long and 4 metres wide. Five truck units can be joined to create a bridge of up to 75 metres. Adjustable trestle legs can range from 2.5 metres to 6 metres in height.
The system uses a modified Tatra T-815 VVN 8×8 High Mobility Vehicle. A single 15-metre section can be launched in about 15 minutes, while a 75-metre configuration takes approximately 100 to 150 minutes to deploy.
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Self-propelled mine layers for automated deployment
The self-propelled mechanical mine layers are designed to provide fast, responsive and automated mine-laying capabilities in difficult and challenging terrains. The system is intended to support rapid and responsive mine-laying operations in demanding terrain.
Trawl tanks and Sarvatra bridge for varied terrain
The systems cleared for the Army include trawl tanks and the Sarvatra bridge system. The Defence Ministry said these systems will provide composite crossings to fighting formations during operations in varied terrains.
The latest package also includes self-propelled mechanical mine layers and high-mobility vehicles for mine-laying, mobility and logistics support.
Secure access card to replace paper-based permits
Approval was also given for the Defence Forces Secure Access Card system. It will replace existing paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with an interoperable radio-frequency identification-based smart card system.
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98% of procurements to come from Indian industry
The Defence Ministry said approximately 98% of the procurements covered by the AoNs will be made from Indian industry.
India has taken several measures to boost self-reliance in defence manufacturing, including phased import bans on weapons, systems, ammunition and critical subsystems and components. The government has also created a separate budget for locally made military hardware, increased FDI from 49% to 74% and improved ease of doing business.
The government aims to achieve defence manufacturing worth Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029-30. In 2025-26, India achieved defence production worth Rs 1.8 lakh crore.
Under India’s defence procurement rules, an AoN by the DAC is the first step towards buying military equipment.
