Defence procurement proposals worth Rs 52,000 crore including Kamikaze drones, guided missiles cleared :::: Closer defence ties with Japan could help reduce dependence on traditional suppliers

Kamikaze drones, guided missiles among Rs 52,000-crore defence buys cleared

Defence procurement proposals worth Rs 52,000 crore, including anti-drone systems, missiles, jet-powered kamikaze drones and advanced air defence platforms received clearance to move forward.   

(Modern warfare is increasingly being shaped by precision-guided weapons, drones and advanced air defence systems)

Japan emerges as new defence export player, opening procurement opportunities for India

The approvals cover a wide range of advanced weapon systems, air defence platforms, anti-drone technologies, unmanned systems and naval capabilities for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The DAC's nod marks an in-principle administrative approval, making it the first step in the procurement process.

The move is seen as a major push to strengthen the operational preparedness and combat capabilities of the armed forces.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday cleared these series of proposals for the acquisition of advanced weapons.  

The Akash Tarang system will provide effective protection against hostile drones and other unmanned aerial threats, a capability that has gained increasing significance amid evolving battlefield requirements. 

Among the major acquisitions cleared for the Indian Army are the procurement of the Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Electronic Warfare System 'Akash Tarang', Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) systems, Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) weapon systems, Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (V-SHORADS), Active Protection Systems for tanks and jet-powered kamikaze drones.  

The indigenous MPATGM system is expected to strengthen the infantry's ability to neutralise enemy armoured and mechanised formations. The MRSAM weapon system will bolster India's layered air defence network by providing protection against a range of aerial threats, including stand-off weapons.

The V-SHORADS system, equipped with multi-spectral sensing capabilities, is expected to improve resilience against countermeasures while enhancing short-range air defence effectiveness.

Russia’s share in India’s arms imports fell sharply to 40% in 2020–2025, down from 77% in 2008–2013 and 55% in 2014–2019. 

Japan is emerging as a relatively new player in the global defence export market, with overseas military sales increasingly concentrated in sensors, missiles and ships, a shift that could create new strategic opportunities for India as it seeks to diversify defence procurement.

The growing defence cooperation comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the first bilateral co-development project involving Naval Radio Antenna systems, describing it as a step that would strengthen defence technology collaboration, maritime security and regional stability.

For India, closer defence ties with Japan could help reduce dependence on traditional suppliers.

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