SYLLABUS

GS-3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Context: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth about ₹52,000 crore to strengthen the combat readiness and operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.

More on the News

• The acquisitions cover a wide range of advanced defence systems for the Indian Army, Indian Navy
• and Indian Air Force, with a strong emphasis on indigenous and next-generation technologies.
• The approved systems include advanced air defence, anti-drone, anti-tank, electronic warfare, unmanned, surveillance and intelligence platforms aimed at addressing evolving aerial, mechanised and maritime threats.
• The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is the first stage of India's capital acquisition process, providing in-principle administrative approval before procurement proceeds to tendering, technical evaluation, contract negotiations and final approval.

About the Key Defence Systems Approved

For the Indian Army:

• AKASH TARANG (Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System): Designed to detect, track and neutralise hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using electronic warfare technologies.
  • Provides effective anti-drone protection to Army formations by strengthening electronic warfare capabilities.
• Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM): Indigenous third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile.
  • Enhances infantry capability to counter mechanised and armoured threats.
• Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Weapon System: Provides medium-range air defence against stand-off aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and UAVs.
  • Strengthens India's layered air defence architecture.
• Very Short-Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS): Equipped with multi-spectral sensing technology.
  • Improves resilience against countermeasures and enhances short-range air defence capability.
• Active Protection System (APS) for Tanks: Detects and neutralises incoming anti-tank missiles and projectiles.
  • Improves tank survivability and battlefield protection.
• Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System: Loitering munition capable of precision strikes.
  • Enhances electronic warfare capability with greater lethality, survivability and cost-effectiveness.

For the Indian Navy:

• Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM): Smart naval mine that detects ships through magnetic, acoustic and pressure signatures.
  • Enhances sea denial capability by restricting adversary freedom of manoeuvre.
• Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS): Ship-launched UAV equipped with advanced sensors.
  • Improves maritime surveillance, reconnaissance and situational awareness.
• Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion Systems: Dedicated facility for testing motors and electric propulsion systems for future naval platforms.
  • Supports the development of quieter and more efficient propulsion technologies.

For the Indian Air Force:

• Fixed-Wing High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (FW-HAPS): Long-endurance fixed-wing platform operating in the stratosphere.
  • Provides persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), telecommunications and remote sensing capabilities.
  • Bridges the capability gap between conventional UAVs and satellites by offering long-duration surveillance at lower cost.

Significance of the Approvals

• Strengthens the combat readiness and operational capabilities of the Army, Navy and Air Force across land, sea and air domains.
• Enhances India's ability to counter emerging threats such as drones, loitering munitions, precision-guided weapons and mechanised warfare.
• Reinforces India's layered air defence network through the induction of advanced anti-drone and missile defence systems.
• Improves persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare capabilities for modern network-centric warfare.
• Supports the modernisation of the Armed Forces through the induction of advanced indigenous and next-generation defence technologies.
• Promotes self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by encouraging indigenous defence production and reducing import dependence.