DAC’s November Agenda: Indigenous Procurements to Supercharge Army, Navy, and Air Force Modernization
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is set to convene on November 23, 2025, unlocking a barrage of indigenous procurements totaling over ₹50,000 crore to invigorate India’s tri-service capabilities. This high-stakes session prioritizes homegrown systems, from rocket launchers and MR-SAMs to amphibious assault vessels, aligning with the ₹6.81 lakh crore FY26 budget’s emphasis on Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Topping the docket is a ₹33,000 crore nod for four Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) at Cochin Shipyard, enhancing the Navy’s expeditionary reach with helicopter decks, landing crafts, and BrahMos integration—crucial for Andaman-Nicobar operations amid South China Sea tensions. The Army eyes next-gen rocket systems under Project Kusha, while the IAF and Navy seek additional Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MR-SAMs), building on Barak-8 successes to shield carriers like INS Vikrant from hypersonic threats.
This follows a robust Q2 capital utilization of ₹92,211 crore (51% of ₹1.8 lakh crore allocation), underscoring procurement efficiency post-Operation Sindoor’s lessons. Private sector involvement, via no-NOC reforms, invites firms like L&T and Tata for co-production, targeting 75% indigenization. As China deploys advanced assets, these approvals will plug capability gaps, projecting power from the Mediterranean to the Malacca Strait.
With exports surging to ₹25,000 crore in FY25, the DAC’s decisions could propel India toward a $5 billion export milestone by 2029, transforming defense from a cost center to a strategic export engine.
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