India has approved a major $5.46 billion military equipment purchase to strengthen its armed forces with advanced missiles, drones, and electronic warfare systems. On July 3, 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council gave in-principle clearance for procurements worth around ₹52,000 crore, according to a government statement reported by Dawn and AFP.
 |
| Source: Pixabay |
The package covers anti-drone systems, electronic warfare equipment, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, and a jet-based kamikaze drone system for the Indian Army. It also includes naval mines, shipborne drones, a maritime testing facility, and high-altitude unmanned aircraft for intelligence and remote sensing.
This approval supports India’s push to modernize its military, reduce reliance on traditional suppliers like Russia, and boost domestic production. It follows a recent conflict with Pakistan and comes amid concerns over China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean. India’s overall defense budget is approximately $85 billion, with earlier approvals reaching $39 billion, including Rafale jets from France.
For more on India’s air defense modernization efforts, see this related analysis: Why India is doubling down on Russian air defense systems.
Stay informed on the latest developments in global defense and geopolitics.
AFP reports: India approved on Friday the purchase of a range of military equipment for its defence forces worth $5.46 billion, including missiles, electronic warfare systems and Kamikaze drones.
The acquisition was approved “in-principle” by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) comprising top military officers and headed by the defence minister, according to a government statement.
The statement said the estimated cost of the deal would be about 520 billion rupees ($5.46 billion).
It did not specify the period over which the acquisitions would be made or whether the systems approved for purchase will be imported or domestically produced.
New Delhi over the last decade has sought to reduce its dependence on Russia, its traditional main supplier of military equipment, turning to other countries like the United States and France, as well as boosting domestic production.
The deal included the purchase of anti-drone and electronic warfare systems, medium range surface-to-air and portable anti-tank missiles and a “Jet Based Kamikaze Drone System” for the Indian army, the government said.
The DAC also approved the procurement of new naval mines, shipborne drones and a testing facility for strengthening maritime defence and boosting surveillance capabilities. India also planned to purchase a high-altitude unmanned aircraft platform for the air force, to be used for intelligence gathering and remote sensing.
New Delhi’s current defence budget is $85 billion.
A four-day conflict with nuclear-armed rival Pakistan last year highlighted the need for Delhi to upgrade its defence capabilities.
India is also pushing to rapidly modernise its navy with an eye on Beijing’s growing influence in the key Indian Ocean shipping lanes.
In December, New Delhi began ordering at least 75 ships and submarines, most of them built domestically.
Top officials earlier this year approved the purchase of $39 billion worth of defence equipment, including Rafale jets from France.