DAC Clears ₹52,000 Crore for HAPS and Drone Systems

Strategic Procurement Drive

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has greenlit a significant capital procurement package valued at ₹52,000 crore. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) confirms that this Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approval, which serves as the formal Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), focuses on integrating lessons learned from Operation Sindoor military engagements. The acquisition roadmap prioritizes High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) and advanced Akash Tarang anti-UAV electronic warfare systems to bolster the Indian armed forces' asymmetric capabilities.

Enhancing Land and Air Defence

The Indian Army will receive a major upgrade to its T-90 main battle tank fleet, with a ₹9,000 crore investment allocated for the installation of active protection systems. These systems are designed to intercept anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades, significantly increasing vehicle survivability. Additionally, the DAC approved ₹2,300 crore for Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) systems. These indigenous weapons, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will likely be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited and private sector partners. For air defence, the Army is set to procure Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) systems and Russian-origin Verba shoulder-fired missiles.

Asymmetric Warfare and Indigenisation

A central feature of this procurement cycle is the focus on jet-based Kamikaze drones and stratospheric surveillance platforms. The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to deploy HAPS, which utilize solar energy to maintain persistent surveillance for weeks, bridging the operational gap between tactical drones and space-based assets. This shift toward non-kinetic warfare platforms aligns with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, favoring domestic production over foreign imports.

Technical Analysis: The Shift to Asymmetric Platforms

The recent DAC approvals reflect a structural pivot toward asymmetric and non-kinetic warfare, a trajectory accelerated by lessons from Operation Sindoor. By prioritizing electronic warfare (EW) systems like 'Akash Tarang' and jet-based loitering munitions, the Ministry of Defence is addressing the vulnerability of conventional platforms to low-cost drone threats. This approach mirrors the post-2020 emergency procurement cycle that followed border tensions, where rapid acquisition of loitering munitions became a strategic necessity. The current focus on persistent stratospheric surveillance via HAPS indicates a long-term shift in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) strategy, moving away from high-maintenance satellite constellations toward flexible, long-endurance aerial platforms.

What Comes Next: CCS Approval and Fielding

Following the DAC's in-principle approval, the proposals must undergo final clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is expected between late 2026 and 2027. Once the CCS grants final authorization, the Ministry of Defence will move to the tendering and contract negotiation phase. The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and private industry partners are expected to work toward a first flight of the full-scale HAPS system by 2027, marking a critical milestone in the IAF's modernization timeline.

Why This Matters: The Domestic Defence Read

For domestic manufacturers like Bharat Dynamics Limited and NewSpace Research and Technologies, this procurement cycle represents a substantial infusion of capital and a validation of indigenous R&D. The scale of the order—₹52,000 crore—provides the industrial base with the long-term visibility required to scale production and refine complex technologies like active protection systems and EW suites. For the armed forces, these acquisitions ensure that tactical gaps identified during recent border engagements are closed with sovereign, locally produced technology.