India Panel Approves Big Ticket Procurement Of S-400 Missiles, MTA, Dhanush Guns For Armed Forces
India moves to significantly upgrade its military capabilities as key approvals cover advanced air defence systems, next-generation transport aircraft, artillery upgrades and enhanced surveillance assets across the armed forces. Image courtesy: RNA
A key panel of India’s Defence Ministry has approved the procurement of big-ticket military systems for its armed forces, cumulatively worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore, including the Russian S-400 air defence missile systems, medium transport aircraft, and Dhanush artillery guns.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday (March 27, 2026), granted Acceptance of Necessity for various capital procurement proposals from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and the Indian Coast Guard.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement that the proposals were worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore. This was part of 55 procurement proposals, cumulatively worth Rs 6.73 lakh crore, that were granted Acceptance of Necessity in the financial year 2025-26, it said.
The Friday (March 27) meeting was the last DAC meeting for the 2026 fiscal year. The MoD also signed capital procurement contracts under 503 proposals, totaling Rs 2.28 lakh crore in the 2026 fiscal, the statement said. “Both the quantum of AoN given and capital contracts signed, so far, have been the highest in any given Financial Year,” the statement said.
At the Friday (March 27) DAC meeting, the Indian Army’s proposals for Air Defence Tracked System, Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition, High Capacity Radio Relay, Dhanush Gun System, and Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System were accorded Acceptance of Necessity approvals.
“The Air Defence Tracked System will provide real-time Air Defence Control and Reporting capability, while the High Capacity Radio Relay will provide reliable and fail-proof communication,” the MoD statement said.
“The Dhanush Gun System will enhance the artillery’s capabilities to engage targets at longer ranges in all terrains with enhanced lethality and accuracy. The Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System will provide surveillance capabilities to the Army units, with the Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition enhancing the lethality of Anti-Tank ammunition,” it added.
For the Indian Air Force, the DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity approval to proposals for the procurement of Medium Transport Aircraft, S-400 Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System, Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft, and overhaul of Su-30 Aero engine aggregates.
“The induction of Medium Transport Aircraft by replacing the transport fleet of AN-32 and IL-76 will meet the strategic, tactical, and operational airlift requirements of the services,” the statement said.
“The S-400 system will counter enemy long-range air vectors targeting vital areas, while the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft will enable undertaking Offensive Counter and Coordinated Air Operations, also providing stealth Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance activities,” it added.
The overhaul of the Su-30 aeroengine and its aggregates would increase the aircraft’s service life and fulfil the air force’s operational requirement.
The S-400 missile system, first acquired through a 2018 contract by India, had performed quite well during the May 2025 Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The S-400 acquisition approval comes despite a continuing threat of the US imposing sanctions on India for continuing to purchase Russian military systems under its CAATSA law.
For the Indian Coast Guard, the DAC gave a nod for the proposal to buy Heavy Duty Air Cushion Vehicles. These vehicles will be used for multipurpose maritime coastal operational roles, including high-speed coastal patrolling, reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, assisting ships, and carrying personnel and stores, including logistics.
