On 20 March 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), operating under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and led by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, MoD has approved eight capital acquisition proposals worth over Rs 54,000 crore. These procurements aim to enhance the operational strength of the Indian Army (IA), the Indian Navy (IN), and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Under the ‘Year of Reforms 2025’ initiative, the DAC has introduced new guidelines to streamline the Capital Acquisition Process.
Key Approvals:
i.Indian Army(IA): The DAC has sanctioned the procurement of a 1350 HorsePower (HP) engine to replace the 1000 HP engine used in T-90 tanks. This upgrade will improve mobility, especially in high-altitude terrains, by enhancing the power-to-weight ratio.
ii.Indian Navy(IN): Approval has been granted for the procurement of Varunastra torpedoes, advanced ship-launched anti-submarine weapons. These weapons are developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP). These torpedoes will strengthen the IN’s capability to counter underwater threats.
iii.Indian Air Force(IAF): The DAC has approved the acquisition of Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft Systems, which will act as force multipliers, significantly improving aerial surveillance and combat effectiveness.
Note: MoD has also allocated Rs 100 crore for a new Sainik School in Karbi Anglong district, Assam. The school will be developed in Langvoku, with a total funding of Rs 335.87 crore for the 2024-25 financial year (FY25).
CCS Approves Rs 7,000 Crore Deal for First Fully Indigenous 155 mm ATAGS Artillery Guns
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi, has approved a Rs 7,000 crore contract for the procurement of 155 millimeter (mm) Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).
- IA plans to acquire 307 units along with 327 gun-towing vehicles, gradually replacing older 105 mm and 130 mm artillery systems.
About Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS):
The ATAGS is India’s first fully indigenous 155 mm artillery gun, with over 65% of components sourced domestically.
i.It will be developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi in collaboration with Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), based in Pune, Maharashtra and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) based in Hyderabad, Telangana.
ii.The gun is equipped with a 52-caliber long barrel, providing an extended strike range of up to 45 kilometre (km).
iii.It features automated deployment and target engagement, reducing crew fatigue. Tested in diverse terrains, including high-altitude Sikkim, it has proven effective in extreme conditions.
Recent Related News:
In February 2025, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), inaugurated the 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The five-day event took place from February 10 to 14, 2025, with the theme “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities.”
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister– Rajnath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,UP)
Minister of State (MoS)– Sanjay Seth (Constituency- Ranchi, Jharkhand)
