MoD clears Rs 79K-cr proposals for drones, warships, missiles

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday approved proposals worth Rs 79,000 crore for acquiring a new class of warships, a drone-based attack system for the Indian Air Force (IAF), missile systems, high-mobility vehicles, naval guns and other equipment for the armed forces.

The DAC okayed Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) — the first step in the defence procurement process, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.

For the Navy, the DAC cleared the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) — 30,000-tonne warships capable of amphibious operations alongside the Army and Air Force. The LPDs can land troops, tanks and vehicles directly on shore without berthing at a jetty.

To be built at Indian naval shipyards, the LPDs will be the most ambitious indigenous warships after the INS Vikrant, the 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier. They will be powered by electric propulsion systems developed in collaboration with the UK, offering stealthier, more efficient and cost-effective operations. Earlier this month, India and the UK agreed on an initial funding of £250 million (Rs 2,900 crore) to co-design and co-produce these propulsion systems.

Op Sindoor showed India’s willpower: Rajnath

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New Delhi: Operation Sindoor was a symbol of India’s willpower and capability, and a message to the world that we are always ready to respond to any challenge, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing the Naval Commanders’ Conference on Thursday. He commended the Navy for establishing a deterrent posture that forced Pakistan’s fleet to remain confined to its harbours or close to its coastline, asserting that the world had witnessed the operational readiness, professional competence, and strength of the Navy during the operation.

For the IAF, the DAC approved the Collaborative Long-Range Target Saturation and Destruction System — a drone-based weapon platform capable of autonomous takeoff, navigation, detection and strike operations. The system will employ multiple drones, including kamikaze (self-destruct) variants with ranges exceeding 1,000 km, designed to disable enemy airbases, runways, aircraft shelters, fuel depots and communication systems.

The DAC also cleared procurements of a 30-mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG) and Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes (ALWT) for the Navy. Developed indigenously by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (DRDO), the ALWT can target conventional, nuclear and midget submarines, while the 30-mm NSG will boost the Navy and Coast Guard’s capability in anti-piracy and low-intensity maritime operations.

For the Army, approvals were granted for the Nag missile system, ground-based mobile surveillance systems and high-mobility vehicles. The Nag missile will enhance anti-armour and bunker-busting capabilities, while the surveillance systems will provide round-the-clock electronic intelligence. The new vehicles will strengthen logistical mobility across diverse terrains.