New Delhi, Feb 12: Defence Acquisition Council has approved projects totaling Rs 3.6 lakh crore to strengthen the Indian Air Force and Navy. The centerpiece of the approval is the long-awaited procurement of 114 Rafale multi-role fighter jets, a move that officials say will help restore the Air Force’s shrinking squadron strength.
The acquisition plan focuses heavily on domestic manufacturing, with the majority of the 114 jets set to be built in India. The Ministry of Defence mentioned that this process will involve a significant transfer of technology from French suppliers like Dassault, Safran, and Thales. The new fleet will be fully integrated with Indian-made weapons, missiles, and secure data links to allow seamless coordination with ground-based controllers and existing radar sensors.
“The acquisition of P8I aircraft will significantly boost the Navy’s combat and war-fighting capability of long-range anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and maritime strike capability,” the Ministry noted regarding the additional six Boeing planes approved for the naval fleet. These aircraft were notably utilized during Operation Sindoor and have been essential for tracking regional military movements.
The DAC meeting also addressed the need for persistent intelligence gathering by approving the High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) project. Operating at altitudes of about 20 km, these platforms will provide long-duration surveillance and remote sensing for military purposes. The inclusion of SCALP cruise missiles is expected to provide the IAF with enhanced deep-strike power and high precision for ground attacks.
For the Indian Army, the council cleared the procurement of Vibhav anti-tank mines and mandated a comprehensive overhaul of the T-72 tank and BMP-II vehicle platforms to extend their operational life. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted that these approvals are critical to ensuring that the armed forces maintain a high state of equipment readiness amid evolving regional security challenges.
Following this initial clearance, the proposals will move to the Prime Minister-headed Cabinet Committee on Security. Authorities mentioned that the timeline for these acquisitions will be spread across several financial years, with the Rafale contract expected to be a major highlight of the upcoming bilateral talks between India and France later this month.
