DAC approves ₹80,000-crore defence procurement boost for BEL, HAL, Solar Industries
India's Defence Acquisition Council has cleared a ₹80,000-crore defence procurement package covering advanced systems including Solar Industries' loiter munitions, BEL's radars and communication equipment, Bharat Dynamics' Astra missiles, and Zen Technologies' counter-drone systems. The approval represents a major boost for domestic defence manufacturers and continues the DAC's aggressive modernization drive following earlier approvals worth over ₹2 lakh crore during the year.
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India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved a massive defence procurement package worth ₹80,000 crore, representing a significant boost to the country's military modernization efforts and domestic defence manufacturing sector. The latest approval demonstrates the government's continued commitment to strengthening India's defence capabilities while supporting indigenous production.
Key Defence Systems Approved
The procurement covers advanced defence systems across multiple categories, with specific focus on precision strike capabilities, surveillance systems, and communication equipment. The approved systems address critical operational requirements across all three services.
| Equipment Category | Primary Beneficiaries | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Loiter Munition Systems | Solar Industries (Nagastra) | Precision strike with surveillance capability |
| Low-Level Light-Weight Radars | BEL, L&T | Detection of low-flying aircraft and drones |
| Guided Pinaka Rockets | EEL, MIL, Tata, L&T | Enhanced range and accuracy strikes |
| Drone Detection System Mk-II | BEL, Zen Technologies | Counter-drone protection |
| HF SDR Manpack Radios | BEL | Secure long-range communication |
| Astra Mk-II BVRAAM | Bharat Dynamics | Beyond-visual-range air combat |
Major Defence Companies Set to Benefit
The procurement is expected to provide substantial business opportunities for established defence manufacturers. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) emerges as a key beneficiary with involvement in multiple systems including radars, communication equipment, and auto take-off landing recording systems.
| Company | Key Products in Procurement |
|---|---|
| BEL | Radars, SDR radios, counter-drone systems |
| Solar Industries | Nagastra loitering munitions |
| Bharat Dynamics | Astra Mk-II missiles |
| Zen Technologies | Anti-drone systems, Tejas simulators |
| Data Patterns | Recording systems, simulators |
| Cochin Shipyard, GRSE | Navy BP tugs |
Naval and Aerospace Components
The procurement includes specialized naval equipment such as Navy BP tugs for harbour operations, with Cochin Shipyard and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) positioned as potential beneficiaries. The package also covers the Tejas full mission simulator for pilot training, involving Zen Technologies and Data Patterns.
Strategic Impact on Defence Sector
This ₹80,000-crore approval continues the Defence Acquisition Council's robust procurement activity, following previous approvals including ₹54,000 crore in March, ₹1.05 lakh crore in July, and ₹79,000 crore in October. The comprehensive nature of the current procurement, spanning from precision munitions to communication systems, reflects India's focus on building integrated defence capabilities while strengthening the domestic defence industrial base.
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