New Delhi: Amidst the tough security environment created by militarily aggressive China and unstable Pakistan, the Defense Ministry has approved military modernization projects worth about Rs 79,000 crore, one of the most consequential procurement approvals in recent years. Approved by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defense Minister -Rajnath SinghWhich approved a wide range of systems spanning air defense missiles, combat drones, long-range rockets, air-to-air weapons, aerial refuellers and counter-drone technologies.Senior military officials have repeatedly stressed that future conflicts will be defined by speed, accuracy and the ability to fight in all areas. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, recently underlined the urgency behind such decisions, saying, “Timely induction of critical capabilities is essential to maintain operational readiness in a rapidly evolving threat environment.” While the Acceptance of Requirement (AoN) is only the first step in the procurement process, it formally establishes the armed forces’ requirements and allows detailed tenders, trials and negotiations to begin.
Overall, the latest approvals reveal how India’s armed forces are recalibrating for the wars that may unfold in the shadow of drone swarms, long-range missiles, electronic warfare and sustained precision strikes. Many of the systems approved have been shaped by operational lessons from recent crises, assessed against the growing missile and air power capabilities of China and Pakistan, and aligned with a more pragmatic “Make in India with partners” approach rather than principled import substitution. What follows is not just a list of acquisitions, but an emerging blueprint for how India plans to prevent, and if necessary fight, high-intensity conflicts on its borders in the coming decade.Barak-8 missiles: The backbone of India’s layered air defenseThe biggest approval under the latest DAC meeting is the Rs 30,000 crore procurement of a large number of Barak-8 medium-range surface-to-air missiles for the Indian Air Force and Navy. Jointly developed by India and Israel, the Barak-8 has become the backbone of India’s medium-scale air defense architecture.
With an interception range of over 70 km, the Barak-8 is designed to neutralize a broad spectrum of aerial threats including fighter aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Its advanced active radar seeker and ability to attack multiple targets simultaneously makes it vital in countering saturation attacks.The missile system proved its operational value during cross-border hostilities in May, when Pakistan launched several waves of Turkish-origin drones and Chinese missiles. The Barak-8 was part of India’s multi-layered air defense network that successfully intercepted incoming threats, preventing damage to key military installations.For the Navy, the Barak-8 is deployed on frontline destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers, providing area air defense against anti-ship missiles and hostile aircraft. For the Indian Air Force, ground-based Barak-8 squadrons protect air bases and strategic assets. The new procurement is intended to significantly increase the missile stockpile, addressing concerns over wartime shortages and continued engagements.MQ-9B Predator drone: bridging the surveillance gap by 2030The DAC also approved the lease of two additional MQ-9B Predator drones worth Rs 1,600 crore for a period of three years. These high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles will complement the two Predators currently operated by the Navy.The MQ-9Bs are capable of flying for more than 30 hours at altitudes of more than 40,000 feet, providing continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance over vast areas. They are particularly valuable for maritime domain awareness, tracking hostile naval activities and monitoring choke points in the Indian Ocean region.
The leased drones are meant to bridge a critical capability gap until India gets 31 armed MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems under a $3.8 billion deal signed with the US in October last year. Deliveries under that deal are expected to take place only in 2029–30.By opting for lease rather than outright purchase, the Army avoids a capability void during periods of heightened regional tensions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and along the Line of Actual Control with China.Mid-air refueling aircraft: expanding the combat reach of the Indian Air ForceAnother major approval is the long-pending acquisition of six mid-air refueling aircraft for the Indian Air Force at a cost of over Rs 9,000 crore. The Indian Air Force’s ability to maintain long-range air operations has long been hampered by the lack of adequate air refuellers.Under the approved plan, Israel Aerospace Industries will convert six second-hand Boeing 767 commercial aircraft into aerial tankers. The conversion included installation of structural strengthening, refueling boom, fuel tanks and mission systems.
A new AoN was required as the tender had resulted in a single-vendor situation. Despite this, the urgency of the need has prompted the government to move forward.Mid-air refueling dramatically increases the operational reach and endurance of fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and surveillance platforms. They are particularly important for deep penetration attacks, rapid force mobilization and sustained air patrolling over disputed areas. With China operating a growing fleet of refuellers, and Pakistan continuously upgrading its air force, the refueling gap for the Indian Air Force had increased rapidly.astra MK-2 and MK-3: India’s bid for long-range air supremacyThe two important indigenous missile projects approved by DAC are focused on expanding India’s air-to-air combat capability. The first is the air-to-air Astra Mark-2 missile, whose range is being increased from the current 100 kilometers to about 200 kilometers.Developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Astra is India’s first indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. It is already integrated with Su-30MKI fighter aircraft and is ready for deployment on Tejas and other platforms.
The Indian Air Force is expected to place an initial order for 600-700 Astra Mk-2 missiles. In parallel, work is underway on the Astra Mark-3, which will have an estimated range of about 350 km, placing it firmly in the long-range interception category.
Indigenous long-range air-to-air missiles are becoming increasingly important as dogfights shift from close dogfights to stand-off engagements, where detection, tracking and first-shot capabilities determine the outcome.PINAKA Rockets: 75 km to 300 km deep attack artilleryDAC’s approval to increase the range of Pinaka guided rocket ammunition is a major leap in India’s artillery firepower. The Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System currently fires rockets up to a range of 75 km, which already gives them an edge over older systems.
The new guided variant aims to increase that range to 120 km, with future plans to reach 300 km. According to officials, the 120 km version was successfully tested on Sunday, demonstrating better accuracy and lethality.The 300-km Pinaka would fundamentally change battlefield dynamics, allowing the Army to strike deep into enemy territory without relying on air power. Such capability is particularly relevant on mountainous borders, where terrain and weather often limit air operations.Pinaka’s modular design and compatibility with various weapons makes it a versatile system for counter-battery fire, suppressing enemy air defenses and destroying logistics centres.Meteor missiles and SPICE-1000 kit: increasing the strength of RafaleWhile indigenous systems form the core of the modernization drive, the DAC also approved additional procurement of select foreign munitions to address immediate deficiencies. This includes more Meteor air-to-air missiles beyond visual range for the Rafale fighter aircraft.With a range of 120–150 km, the Meteor is considered one of the deadliest air-to-air missiles in service today, with a ramjet propulsion system that maintains high energy throughout its flight.
The Council also approved the acquisition of Israeli guidance kits for SPICE-1000 precision-guided bombs. These kits convert conventional bombs into long-range highly accurate weapons capable of striking targets up to 125 km away.
Together, these munitions significantly enhance the Rafale’s stand-off strike and air dominance capabilities, allowing it to engage high-value targets without entering heavily defended airspace.Kamikaze drones for military: precision strikes and battlefield autonomyOne of the most notable approvals is the procurement of 850 kamikaze drones or munitions for the Army’s new ‘Shaktiban’ and ‘Divyastra’ artillery batteries at a cost of about Rs 2,000 crore.
The hovering weapons combine surveillance and attack capabilities on a single platform. They can hover over a target area, identify enemy assets and then dive onto the target with an explosive payload.Drones approved under this program will be manufactured in India by domestic firms or through foreign collaboration. Their inclusion reflects lessons learned from conflicts such as Ukraine, where the weapons have been used extensively for precision strikes against armour, artillery and air defense systems.For the Indian Army, these drones provide a flexible, cost-effective tool for real-time battlefield fighting without risking pilots or high-value aircraft.Counter-Drone Laser System: Preparing for Swarm WarDAC also approved the indigenous Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mark-2. Equipped with 30-kilowatt lasers, the system can disable, degrade or destroy remotely operated small aircraft and swarm drones at ranges of up to 3.5 km.
Drone swarms are increasingly seen as a major threat, capable of overwhelming conventional air defense systems through their numbers. Laser-based systems provide a relatively low-cost, rapid-response solution to such threats.IDD&IS integrates identification, tracking and neutralization into a single platform, making it suitable for the protection of airports, ammunition depots and critical infrastructure. Its approval signals a recognition that future conflicts will involve disputed airspace even at very low altitudes.Upgrades and overhaul: Mi-17 helicopters and T-90 tanksApart from the new acquisitions, the DAC approved the overhaul of Mi-17 helicopters in Russia and T-90s main battle tanks in India. The goal of these overhauls is to increase the service life and operational readiness of existing platforms.
Mi-17 helicopters are the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s medium-lift fleet, supporting transport, casualty evacuation and special operations. T-90 tanks remain at the heart of the Army’s armored formations, especially on the Western Front.
It is important to maintain these platforms even as new systems are added, ensuring that there are no capacity gaps during the transition phase.Beyond Missiles: Radar, Simulators, and Secure CommunicationsSeveral small but important projects were also approved. These include low-level lightweight radar to detect aerial threats, bollard-pull naval tug for port operations, full mission simulator for Tejas fighter jet and automatic take-off and landing recording system for the Indian Air Force.
The DAC also approved the acquisition of high-frequency software-defined radios to enable secure long-distance communications across all services. Such systems are essential to network-centric warfare, allowing armies to share data in real time.Less visible than missiles or drones, these enablers are critical to operational effectiveness, training, and security.
Overall, the Rs 79,000 crore modernization drive offers a clear snapshot of how India expects to fight wars in the future. The focus is on layered air defense, long-range precision strikes, persistent surveillance, unmanned systems, and electronic flexibility.Rather than betting on a single platform or technology, the approval reflects a systems-based approach, integrating missiles, drones, aircraft and sensors into a cohesive combat network. The mix of indigenous development and selective imports suggests a more mature procurement philosophy, driven by operational necessity rather than ideology.
