What were the DAC approvals in 2026?
Three Defence Acquisition Council meetings between February and July 2026 accorded AoN worth over ₹6 lakh crore combined: ₹3.60 lakh crore on 12 February 2026 (headlined by MRFA / Rafale and AS-HAPS), ₹2.38 lakh crore on 27 March 2026 (Army air defence, Dhanush Gun System, Coast Guard air cushion vehicles), and ₹52,000 crore on 3 July 2026 (anti-drone Akash Tarang and MPATGM).
This chapter is a separate track from Cabinet-approved schemes, and it is the one NDA, CDS and AFCAT candidates should treat as compulsory. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is only the first stage of defence procurement — in-principle approval before tendering, technical evaluation and contract award. An AoN figure is not money spent; it is the ceiling value of proposals cleared to proceed. The Defence Acquisition Council is chaired by the Raksha Mantri and was formed in 2001, following the Group of Ministers report on national security reforms after Kargil.
Defence Acquisitions (DAC) schemes at a glance
| Scheme / initiative | Status | Ministry / department |
|---|---|---|
| DAC Meeting — 12 Feb 2026 | AoN ACCORDED · ₹3.60 lakh crore | Ministry of Defence (Department of Defence Acquisition) |
| DAC Meeting — 27 Mar 2026 | AoN ACCORDED · ₹2.38 lakh crore | Ministry of Defence (Department of Defence Acquisition) |
| DAC Meeting — 3 Jul 2026 | AoN ACCORDED · ₹52,000 crore | Ministry of Defence (Department of Defence Acquisition) |
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All 98 entries, February to July 2026, with ministry, outlay, target and exam trigger for every scheme. 69 pages. No sign-up.
DAC Meeting — 12 Feb 2026
AoN ACCORDED · ₹3.60 lakh crore
Ministry: Ministry of Defence (Department of Defence Acquisition)
AoN means the government plans to buy something, not that a deal is signed. This meeting cleared the way to buy Rafale fighter jets, combat missiles and a surveillance system.
Why it is in the news: AoN accorded at this DAC meeting, headlined by the Rafale (MRFA) procurement.
- For the Indian Air Force: AoN for Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) — Rafale; Combat Missiles; Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS).
- MRFA procurement enhances air-dominance capability across the conflict spectrum; the majority of MRFA is to be manufactured in India.
- AS-HAPS is for persistent ISR, electronic intelligence, telecommunication and remote sensing.
DAC Meeting — 27 Mar 2026
AoN ACCORDED · ₹2.38 lakh crore
Ministry: Ministry of Defence (Department of Defence Acquisition)
This meeting mostly approved equipment to help the Army see and hit targets from further away, plus faster patrol boats for the Coast Guard.
Why it is in the news: AoN accorded for Army air-defence and artillery systems and Coast Guard patrol vessels.
- For the Indian Army: Air Defence Tracked System, Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition, High Capacity Radio Relay, Dhanush Gun System and Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance.
- For the Indian Coast Guard: Heavy Duty Air Cushion Vehicles for high-speed coastal patrolling, reconnaissance, search and rescue and logistics support.
- FY 2025-26 context cited at this meeting: AoN for 55 proposals worth ₹6.73 lakh crore during the year; capital procurement contracts signed for 503 proposals worth ₹2.28 lakh crore.
DAC Meeting — 3 Jul 2026
AoN ACCORDED · ₹52,000 crore
Ministry: Ministry of Defence (Department of Defence Acquisition)
This meeting focused on defending against drones and short-range aerial attacks, plus missiles that let soldiers destroy tanks from a distance.
Why it is in the news: AoN accorded at this DAC meeting, focused on anti-drone and short-range air defence systems.
- For the Indian Army: Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System ‘Akash Tarang’; Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Systems.
- Covers next-generation air defence, anti-armour, anti-drone, unmanned platforms and surveillance capability across the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Frequently asked questions
What does AoN mean in defence procurement?
Acceptance of Necessity. It is in-principle administrative approval by the Defence Acquisition Council, granted before tendering, technical evaluation and contract award. An AoN value is the ceiling value of proposals cleared to move forward, not money already spent.
Who chairs the Defence Acquisition Council?
The Raksha Mantri, the Union Defence Minister. The DAC was formed in 2001 following the Group of Ministers report on national security reforms after the Kargil conflict.
What is MRFA?
Multi Role Fighter Aircraft. AoN for MRFA, understood as the Rafale, was accorded at the 12 February 2026 DAC meeting, with the majority of aircraft to be manufactured in India.
What is Akash Tarang?
An Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System for the Indian Army, cleared at the 3 July 2026 DAC meeting as part of a Rs 52,000 crore AoN focused on anti-drone and short-range air defence capability.
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