India Approves Massive ₹52,000 Crore Domestic Weapons Arsenal

Modern warfare is moving away from traditional military hardware toward highly automated anti-drone arrays and long-endurance pseudo-satellites. On July 3, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, officially granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisitions worth a staggering ₹52,000 crore ($6.2 billion). The package reflects a decisive shift in military strategy following recent conflicts—prioritizing counter-UAV systems, layered air defense, and persistent surveillance over traditional big-ticket platforms.

The approvals span the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with most systems designed for operations close to the battlefield. For the Indian Army, the DAC cleared the AKASH TARANG Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System to detect, track, and jam hostile drones; 2,300 indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) systems with 100 launchers and five simulators; Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems for medium-range air defense; Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS) with multi-spectral sensing; Active Protection Systems for tanks to intercept incoming projectiles; and Jet-Based Kamikaze Drones for precision strikes with greater lethality and survivability.

For the Indian Navy, approvals include Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM) to restrict adversary manoeuvre, Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS) for enhanced situational awareness, and a Land Based Testing Facility for Electric Propulsion Systems.

For the Indian Air Force, the DAC approved the Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS) for persistent Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), telecommunication, and remote sensing.

The meeting was the first DAC session since a sweeping leadership change at the top of India's military hierarchy, with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Raja Subramani, Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth, and Navy Chief Adm Krishna Swaminathan attending.

Instead of standard short-range patrols, the military is deploying these pseudo-satellites directly into the upper atmosphere at 18–20 kilometers altitude. Operating as persistent "orbital eyes" for weeks at a time—solar-powered by day and high-density batteries by night—they establish secure, self-healing communication networks and track regional threats without ever needing to refuel. The FW-HAPS will provide seamless intelligence gathering and long-range communications for the IAF.

July 2026 marks a definitive pivot in India's defence procurement. The ₹52,000 crore DAC approval—centered on anti-drone EW systems, jet-based kamikaze drones, and pseudo-satellites—signals New Delhi's rapid shift toward counter-UAV capabilities and layered air defense. The emphasis on indigenous procurement aligns with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with domestic manufacturers including BEL, BDL, HAL, and Apollo Micro Systems positioned as key beneficiaries. The era of slow-moving defence procurement is ending. The era of automated, electronic, and space-based warfare is already here.