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India has given the green light for a $5.46 billion purchase of various military systems, including missiles, electronic warfare gear, and Kamikaze drones. The move was approved “in-principle” by the Defense Acquisition Council, which includes top military leaders and is led by the defense minister, according to a government statement.
The expected cost of the entire deal is approximately 520 billion Indian Rupees ($5.46 billion). The statement did not specify whether these systems would be imported or produced domestically, nor did it specify the timeline for completing the acquisition.
Over the past decade, India has been working to lessen its reliance on Russia, its traditional military equipment supplier, shifting toward purchases from the United States and France, alongside efforts to boost local manufacturing.
The approved procurement includes 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 also greenlit the acquisition of new naval mines, shipborne drones, and a maritime testing facility to enhance naval defense and surveillance. Additionally, India plans to acquire a high-altitude unmanned aircraft platform for intelligence and remote sensing purposes.
India’s current defense spending is around $85 billion, as the country pushes forward with modernization efforts. Recently, Delhi ordered at least 75 ships and submarines, most of which are domestically built, and approved defense spending worth approximately $39 billion, including Rafale fighter jets from France.
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