What happened?
On August 5, 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, cleared defence proposals worth ₹67,000 crore to enhance the capabilities of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Approvals include thermal imager-based night sights for BMP vehicles, Compact Autonomous Surface Craft for anti-submarine warfare, Mountain Radars for border surveillance, and upgrades to the SAKSHAM/SPYDER system. The procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones across all three services was also approved.
Why it matters to India
The acquisitions aim to improve surveillance, mobility, and defence preparedness while advancing indigenous capabilities. Maintenance approvals for C-17 and C-130J fleets and the S-400 missile system ensure sustained operational readiness of strategic assets. Collectively, these measures are expected to significantly improve India’s surveillance, mobility, and defensive capabilities, particularly in sensitive border and maritime regions.