New Delhi — The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) gave the green light on Thursday to a suite of weapons systems worth roughly ₹52,000 crore (about $6.4 billion), a move the council said will “boost combat readiness of the forces.” Chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the DAC approved the acquisition of an upgraded Akash surface‑to‑air missile (SAM) system, the indigenous Tarang anti‑ship missile and the Medium‑Range Surface‑to‑Air Missile (MRSAM) programme, which is co‑developed with Russia. The three projects are slated for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy over the coming years.
What happened
The DAC, which operates under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to vet and authorise major procurement proposals, reviewed submissions prepared under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and the Defence Acquisition Process (DAP). After a series of technical reviews and trial assessments, the council cleared the three programmes for purchase and subsequent contract award.
– Akash SAM upgrade – The indigenous medium‑range system will be modernised to engage aircraft and cruise missiles at distances of up to 30 km, according to the council’s briefing.
– Tarang anti‑ship missile – Described as a “long‑range” weapon for surface combatants, Tarang is intended to strike high‑value maritime targets in the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and beyond.
– MRSAM – A joint Indo‑Russian venture that provides a layered air‑defence capability against low‑flying aircraft, cruise missiles and other aerial threats.
The council’s decision follows a “series of reviews and trials” conducted under the DPP, a framework introduced to streamline procurement and curb the chronic delays that have plagued past defence purchases.
Why it matters
The clearance signals a concerted effort by New Delhi to address perceived gaps in India’s air and naval defences amid a “growing regional security challenge,” as the DAC’s statement put it. By prioritising indigenous and joint‑development platforms, the government appears to be hedging against supply‑chain vulnerabilities that have emerged from heightened geopolitical tensions in the Indo‑Pacific.
Analysts note that the three systems together enhance the IAF’s layered air‑defence architecture and expand the Navy’s anti‑ship strike envelope, thereby improving deterrence against potential adversaries in both the northern and southern maritime theatres. The procurement also aligns with the MoD’s broader modernisation drive, which has seen defence spending rise steadily over the past decade.
Background and context
India’s defence procurement landscape has historically been characterised by protracted timelines, cost overruns and a heavy reliance on foreign suppliers. In response, the MoD introduced the DPP in 2016 and later the DAP to create a more transparent, time‑bound process. The DAC, chaired by the defence minister, serves as the final gatekeeper for high‑value projects, reviewing technical, financial and strategic aspects before authorising contracts.
The Akash missile, first inducted in 2009, is India’s first indigenously designed SAM system. An upgrade to its seeker, propulsion and command‑and‑control elements is intended to extend its operational relevance against newer threats.
Tarang, meanwhile, is a relatively recent addition to the Navy’s arsenal. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile is designed to give surface ships a stand‑off strike capability against enemy vessels, a capability that the navy has sought for years to counter the growing presence of advanced surface combatants in the Indian Ocean Region.
The MRSAM programme, known domestically as “Barak‑8,” is a product of the India‑Russia joint venture Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Russia’s Almaz‑Antey. It has already entered service with the IAF and the Navy, but the DAC’s clearance pertains to a further tranche of missiles and associated launch systems, expanding the missile’s deployment across additional platforms.
Competing claims and uncertainties
While the DAC’s approval marks a decisive step, several uncertainties remain.
– Lead times and delivery schedules – Large‑scale weapons projects in India have historically suffered from extended production cycles. Critics point to past programmes where initial delivery estimates were missed by several years, potentially delaying the operational impact of the newly approved systems.
– Cost escalation – Defence budgets in India have a track record of exceeding original estimates. The ₹52,000 crore figure represents the projected outlay at the time of approval, but analysts caution that “cost overruns and fiscal sustainability” could become issues if the projects encounter technical setbacks or inflationary pressures.
– Indigenous versus foreign dependence – Although the package emphasises “indigenous and joint‑development platforms,” the MRSAM remains a collaborative effort with Russia. Some policy observers argue that true self‑reliance will require a larger share of wholly domestic technology, especially given recent supply‑chain disruptions linked to geopolitical frictions.
– Strategic calculus – The DAC framed the procurement as a response to “regional security challenges,” but the exact nature of the perceived threats was not detailed. Some regional security experts suggest that the focus may be on countering the expanding naval capabilities of China in the Indian Ocean, while others point to the need for a credible deterrent against Pakistan’s missile‑rich arsenal. The lack of explicit attribution leaves room for divergent interpretations of the strategic intent.
What to watch next
The next phase will involve the MoD issuing tenders, evaluating bids and awarding contracts to domestic and foreign vendors. Key milestones to monitor include:
1. Tender notices and bidder lists – Publication of detailed technical specifications and eligibility criteria will reveal the extent of foreign participation, especially for components that India may still need to import.
2. Contract award timelines – The speed with which the MoD finalises contracts will be an early indicator of whether the DPP’s “time‑bound” objectives are being met.
3. Production and testing milestones – Updates from DRDO, BEL and the Navy on prototype testing, factory acceptance trials and sea‑trial results will help gauge whether the systems are on track for fielding.
4. Parliamentary oversight – The defence procurement package will be scrutinised in the upcoming parliamentary committee hearings, where lawmakers may question cost estimates, delivery schedules and the balance between indigenous and foreign content.
5. Regional reaction – Neighboring countries, particularly China and Pakistan, may issue statements interpreting the procurement as a shift in the regional balance of power. Monitoring diplomatic channels and defence white‑papers will provide insight into how the acquisition is being perceived abroad.
Conclusion
The DAC’s clearance of a ₹52,000 crore weapons package marks a significant fiscal and strategic commitment by the Indian government to modernise its air and naval defences. By prioritising the Akash SAM upgrade, the Tarang anti‑ship missile and the MRSAM programme, the MoD aims to close capability gaps and reduce reliance on external suppliers. However, the ultimate impact of the procurement will hinge on the ability of the defence establishment to manage lead times, contain costs and integrate the systems effectively into operational units. Ongoing transparency in the tendering process, rigorous parliamentary oversight and timely reporting of production milestones will be essential to ensure that the projected boost in combat readiness materialises as intended.
Sources
Indian Express, “Defence acquisition proposals worth Rs 52,000 cr cleared, will boost combat readiness of forces,” https://indianexpress.com/article/india/defence-acquisition-council-rs-52000-crore-procurement-akash-tarang-mrsam-10770024/
Story synopsis gathered from: Indian Express – India — source
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
