By N. C. Bipindra

New Delhi: India’s Defence Ministry’s key panel, on March 27, 2026, cleared armed forces’ proposals for the procurement of major military systems, totalling INR 238,000 crore, including the Russian S-400 air defence missile systems, medium transport aircraft, and Dhanush artillery guns.

India had effectively deployed the S-400 missile system, first acquired through a 2018 contract, during the May 2025 Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The S-400 acquisition approval comes amidst a US threat to sanction nations that buy Russian weapon systems under its CAATSA law.

In the March 27 meeting, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), the first step towards a tendering process, 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 approved in the March 27 meeting of the DAC were part of 55 procurement proposals, cumulatively worth INR 673,000 crore, granted AoN in the financial year 2025-26. This was the last DAC meeting for the 2026 fiscal year.

In the same fiscal, the MoD also signed capital procurement contracts under 503 proposals, totaling INR 228,000 crore, the statement said. “Both the quantum of AoN given and capital contracts signed, so far, have been the highest in any given Financial Year,” it added.

At the 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 got the AoN 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,” it said.

“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.

For the Indian Coast Guard, the DAC approved the proposal to purchase 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.

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