New Defence Acquisitions & Modernisation (India | 2021–2026)

New Defence Acquisitions & Modernisation (India | 2021–2026)

Introduction

Over the last five years (2021–2026), India has undertaken an unprecedented defence acquisitions and modernisation drive to address evolving security challenges, particularly along its northern and western borders and across the Indian Ocean Region. Defence capital outlay reached ₹1,82,492 crore in FY 2026, while cumulative capital acquisition approvals crossed ₹10 lakh crore, with a decisive tilt toward indigenous manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

I. Major Defence Acquisitions (Capability-Wise)

1. Fighter Aircraft & Air Power

a) Naval Fighter Aircraft

• 2025: India signed a $7.4 billion contract for 26 Rafale-M carrier-borne fighters for the Indian Navy.
• Impact:
  • Enhances air power aboard INS Vikrant
  • Strengthens maritime strike and sea-control capability in the Indian Ocean

b) Indigenous Fighter Programme

• Tejas Mk-1A:
  • Production ramp-up
  • AESA radar, modern avionics, electronic warfare upgrades
• Trainer Variant:
  • Supports long-term pilot training and force sustainability

c) Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C)

• Indigenous AEW&C platforms developed by DRDO for the Air Force
• Enhances battlefield awareness, network-centric warfare, and air defence coordination

2. Missiles & Precision-Guided Weapons

a) BrahMos Missile Family

• Continued induction of land, sea and air-launched variants
• Development of extended-range (ER) versions
• Key contributor to conventional deterrence and precision strike

b) Anti-Tank Missile Systems

• 2025: Approval for 2,400+ Nag Mk-II missiles with NAMIS tracked launch platforms
• Strengthens Army’s anti-armour capability in high-intensity conflicts

c) Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missiles

• Astra Mk-II inducted as an advanced successor to Astra Mk-I
• Improves air-to-air combat effectiveness against modern adversaries

3. Air Defence & Surveillance Systems

a) Akash & Akash-NG

• Akash SAM fully inducted into Army and Air Force
• Akash-NG: Faster, lighter, more lethal next-generation variant under advanced trials

b) Counter-Battery & Surveillance Radars

• Swathi Weapon Locating Radar deployed widely
• Enables rapid detection of enemy artillery and missile launch points

4. Naval Platforms & Maritime Capability

a) Aircraft Carrier Capability

• 2022: Commissioning of INS Vikrant
• Marks India’s entry into the elite group of indigenous aircraft-carrier builders

b) Surface Combatants

• Indigenous construction of:
  • Guided-missile destroyers
  • Stealth frigates
  • Corvettes
• Built under Make-in-India by Indian shipyards

c) Support & Specialised Vessels

• Amphibious ships for expeditionary operations
• ICG Samudra Pratap – India’s largest indigenous pollution-control vessel

5. Drones & Unmanned Systems

a) MALE & Tactical UAVs

• Armed and ISR drones approved for all three services
• Focus on long-endurance surveillance and precision strike

b) Loitering Munitions

• Indigenous and collaborative systems inducted
• Enhance battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and rapid strike capability

6. Artillery & Armoured Platforms

a) ATAGS (155mm)

• Indigenous long-range artillery system
• World-class range and accuracy; ordered in bulk

b) Dhanush Howitzer

• Continued production and deployment along borders

c) Main Battle Tanks

• Arjun Mk-1A / Mk-II upgrades
• Focus on enhanced firepower, protection, and mobility

7. Infantry Weapons & Soldier Systems

• Indigenous CQB carbines, assault rifles
• Modern night-vision devices
• Secure communication and battlefield management systems

II. Year-Wise Major Defence Procurement Timeline

2021

• 101 BrahMos missiles – ₹2,000+ crore
• 15 LCH Prachand – ₹3,700 crore
• 56 C-295 transport aircraft – ₹21,935 crore
• Additional Akash SAM systems

2022

• 6 P-8I maritime patrol aircraft
• 31 MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones (pathway initiated)
• Defence exports crossed ₹13,399 crore

2023

• 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighters – ₹48,000 crore
• 156 Prachand LCH – ₹39,000 crore
• Rafale-M negotiations advanced

2024

• DAC approvals worth ₹4.22 lakh crore (94% indigenous)
• Fast Patrol Vessels, CIWS, high-power radars
• GE-F414 engine MoU for LCA Mk-2

2025

• 31 MQ-9B Predator drones – $2.99 billion
• MH-60R Seahawk deliveries begin
• EW suites, radars, engines, armoured vehicles

2026 (to date)

• 4.25 lakh CQB carbines – ₹2,770 crore
• Heavyweight torpedoes for submarines – ₹1,896 crore
• FY26 capital outlay: ₹1,82,492 crore

III. Key Acquisition Themes (Quick Revision)

• Indigenisation: Tejas, ATAGS, Akash-NG, UAVs
• Maritime dominance: Aircraft carrier, destroyers, patrol vessels
• Air power: Rafale-M, Astra missiles, AEW&C
• Battlefield edge: Artillery, ATGMs, loitering munitions
• Network-centric warfare: Radars, EW, C4ISR

Conclusion

India’s defence acquisitions from 2021–2026 reflect a structural shift from import-dependence to self-reliant, technology-driven military capability. The emphasis on indigenous platforms, combined with selective high-end foreign procurement, is enhancing deterrence, boosting defence exports, and strengthening India’s role as a regional security provider.