Military AI enhancements valued at approximately INR 670 billion receive approval from the Defense Ministry, encompassing improvements for BrahMos, Mountain Radars, and numerous additional systems.
India Boosts Military Capabilities with Approved Defense Proposals
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has given its approval to defense proposals worth approximately Rs 67,000 crore on August 5, aiming to enhance the operational capabilities of India's armed forces.
One of the significant decisions made was the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sights for BMP (infantry fighting vehicles) by the Indian Army. This upgrade will provide higher mobility and operational advantage to mechanised infantry units during low-visibility and night-time operations.
The procurement was granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the DAC as part of a larger Rs 67,000 crore package to boost the armed forces' operational capabilities. These thermal night sights enable BMP drivers to navigate effectively at night or in poor visibility, significantly improving mobility and operational effectiveness in mechanized infantry operations.
While the exact cost of the Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight procurement alone is not separately itemized in the publicly available sources, it is included within the overall Rs 67,000 crore defence acquisition deal approved for the Army, Navy, and Air Force modernization programs.
The Indian Army will also benefit from the upgraded Saksham/Spyder weapon system, the procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for all three services, and the mountain radars that aim to enhance air surveillance in difficult mountainous terrain. However, the statement did not provide details on the approval of these initiatives.
Additionally, the Indian Navy received approvals for the procurement of compact autonomous surface craft, BrahMos fire control systems and launchers, and the upgradation of the BARAK-1 point defence missile system. The approval of the BrahMos systems was not specified for which branch of the military will be utilizing them.
The DAC has also approved an annual maintenance contract for the S-400 long-range air defence missile system. The upgraded weapon system will be integrated with the Integrated Air Command and Control System to boost air defence capabilities.
This round of approvals aligns with India’s broader goal of indigenisation and self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The details regarding the specifics of Operation Sindoor and the entities driving India's military build-up were not disclosed in the official statement.
The defense market is set to witness significant investment with the approval of defense proposals worth Rs 67,000 crore, as the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) aims to improve finance allotted for technology enhancements in the defense sector. This move is part of India's broader goal of indigenisation and self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
