Defence & SecurityImportant2026-03-27

DAC Clears ₹2.38 Lakh Crore Defence Proposals

Q: Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which grants the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. 2. The Dhanush Gun System is an indigenously developed 155 mm artillery gun. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

B. 2 only — Statement 1 is incorrect because the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is chaired by the Defence Minister, not the Prime Minister. Statement 2 is correct as the Dhanush Gun System is a domestically developed 155mm x 45 calibre artillery system, promoting self-reliance in the defence sector.

In News

What Happened

On March 27, 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for military hardware worth INR 2.38 lakh crore. The approvals cover major platforms including the S-400 air defence systems, Medium Transport Aircraft, Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft, and the Dhanush Gun System. This marks the crucial first step in capital procurement for the Indian Armed Forces.

Why It Matters

This massive procurement boosts the operational readiness of the Indian military against evolving regional threats. Furthermore, the inclusion of systems like the Dhanush Gun System heavily promotes self-reliance and indigenisation within the domestic defence manufacturing sector.

Background

History & Context

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest decision-making body for defence procurement in India, established after the Kargil War in 2001 based on recommendations to reform the national security system. Capital acquisitions follow the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), where the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) serves as the formal starting point. Over the years, India has pushed for the 'Make in India' initiative in the defence sector to reduce reliance on foreign imports and modernize its aging military platforms.

What Changed

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BEFORE: The Indian Air Force relied heavily on the aging fleet of Soviet-era AN-32 transport aircraft for medium lift logistics. NOW: An AoN is in place to acquire modern Medium Transport Aircraft to gradually phase out and replace the AN-32 fleet.
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BEFORE: Indian artillery modernization faced delays, with a heavy historical reliance on imported guns like the Bofors for heavy field artillery. NOW: The approval of the indigenous Dhanush Gun System ensures large-scale induction of domestically produced, modernized artillery.
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BEFORE: India had limited indigenous Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft, restricting its unmanned combat aerial capabilities. NOW: The DAC's approval paves the way for the acquisition of advanced Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft to significantly upgrade unmanned drone strike operations.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

The theme of national security and indigenous defence development connects to Class 12 Political Science (Contemporary World Politics), Chapter 7 - 'Security in the Contemporary World'. The modernization of armed forces and self-reliance reflects the traditional notion of security, which emphasizes military preparedness to deter and defend against external threats.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which grants the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. 2. The Dhanush Gun System is an indigenously developed 155 mm artillery gun. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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