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COVER STORY

COVER STORYDefence Industry & Technology

DAC Clears ₹2.12 Lakh Crore Defence Acquisition Proposals

DAC defence acquisition proposals

New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on October 26, 2026, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) i.e. in-principle administrative to various capital acquisition proposals of the Defence Forces at an estimated cost of about Rs 2,12,000 crore. For the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the procurement of High Mobility Vehicles (HMV), Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System, Gun Shot Response System (GSRS), Light Multi Role Helicopters (LMRH), Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), Platform Based Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS), Unmanned Aerial System Brick Long Range, Surveillance UAV, Integrated Surveillance and Strike System and Long Range Kamikaze Drone System. 

The HMVs will enhance operational capabilities, logistic support and mobility in challenging terrains. The Self-Propelled Tracked Gun System will provide matching mobility and firepower to mechanised formations. The GSRS will serve as a force multiplier providing real-time situational awareness of the forces. The LMRH will be used by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force for Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Combat, Search and Rescue of troops, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief etc. The VSHORADS will engage new generation small size aerial threats, while C-UAS will enhance survivability of Tanks in the modern battlefield. The Surveillance and Drone Systems will enhance the surveillance and targeting capabilities of the Indian Army.

For the Indian Navy, approval was given for the procurement of Active Offboard Decoy System (AODS) and other major Naval platforms. The AODS will enhance the credibility of anti-missiles defence, especially against modern anti-ship missiles of adversaries. The indigenously designed and constructed major Naval platforms will possess modern-day warfare capabilities and enhance the combat capability of the Navy.

For the Indian Air Force, approval was accorded for the procurement of Helicopters, Air Defence Systems, Weapons and Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar System to enhance the air defence and war fighting capabilities. The procurement of Special Utility Helicopters will help the Indian Air Force to meet the important air transport requirements. The X-Band Doppler Weather Radar System will provide high-resolution, localised weather surveillance in forward areas.

Out of the total AoNs accorded, approximately 82% of the procurements will be made from the Indian Industry.

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COVER STORYNavy

India–Korea Coast Guards Hold 14th High-Level Meeting in Incheon

India-Korea Coast Guard Meeting

New Delhi: The 14th High Level Meeting (HLM) between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) was held at Incheon, Republic of Korea, on 14 October 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation and further enhancing strategic engagement between the two maritime security agencies.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed existing operational frameworks and discussed roadmap strategies to further enhance cooperation in key areas, including Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), capacity building and operational coordination.

Reaffirming their commitment to the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both Coast Guards agreed to further strengthen professional exchanges, joint training exercises, bilateral ship visits and real-time information sharing.

The 14th HLM reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Indian Coast Guard and the Korea Coast Guard to deepen operational synergy and contribute towards maintaining a safe, secure and environmentally sustainable maritime ecosystem in the region.

The Indian Coast Guard delegation, on an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 13 to 16 October 2026, was led by Inspector General T. Sashi Kumar, while the Korea Coast Guard delegation was led by Senior Superintendent General Im Myeong Gil.

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