Source The print
New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has cleared major defence procurement proposals worth around ₹79,000 crore, giving a significant boost to India’s military modernisation and indigenous defence manufacturing. Among the key systems on the shopping list are the over-200 km range Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and the extended-range Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system capable of striking targets up to 120 km away.
The approvals were granted by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The proposals largely fall under the “Buy (Indian)” and “Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)” categories, reinforcing the government’s push for self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The Astra missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is expected to substantially enhance the Indian Air Force’s air combat capabilities. With a strike range exceeding 200 km in its advanced variants, the missile is designed to engage fast-moving aerial targets with high precision and is compatible with frontline fighter aircraft such as the Su-30MKI, Tejas, and future platforms.
Another major highlight is the clearance for procurement of advanced Pinaka rockets with a range of up to 120 km. The extended-range Pinaka system will significantly increase the Indian Army’s long-range strike and area saturation capabilities, allowing it to neutralise enemy targets deep inside hostile territory with greater accuracy and firepower.
Apart from missiles and rockets, the DAC also approved proposals related to ammunition, surveillance equipment, and other critical platforms aimed at enhancing the operational readiness of the armed forces across land, sea, and air domains.
Defence officials said the latest approvals are part of a broader effort to modernise the military while reducing dependence on imports. The projects are expected to involve Indian defence public sector undertakings and private industry, generating employment and strengthening the domestic defence ecosystem.
With these clearances, the MoD has signalled its intent to fast-track capability development at a time when regional security challenges and evolving warfare technologies demand rapid upgradation of India’s armed forces.
