India Proposes New Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 to Modernize Military Procurement
In a significant move to adapt to evolving global dynamics, the Indian government has unveiled a draft of the new 'Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2026'. This proposed policy framework aims to realign India's defence acquisition strategies with the rapidly changing geo-strategic environment, the growth of the Indian economy, and the technological demands of modern warfare.
Aligning Procurement with National Priorities
The DAP serves as the official guideline for procuring military weapons, systems, and platforms for India's armed forces. The draft DAP-2026 seeks to ensure that categorization and procurement strategies are based on technological availability and manufacturing readiness. According to a government statement released on Tuesday, this initiative is designed to accelerate the acquisition process significantly.
Key objectives include propelling jointness, self-reliance (atmanirbharta), and integration across defence forces. It also focuses on force modernization, speeding up acquisitions while scaling production capabilities. This holistic approach is expected to foster the growth and development of the entire defence ecosystem in the country.
Boosting Domestic Manufacturing and Reducing Imports
As a cornerstone of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in defence, the DAP emphasizes institutionalized preference for the 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' category—procurement of indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured equipment. This move is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and effectively reducing reliance on imports.
The proposed draft introduces several innovative measures to enhance efficiency. These include exclusive procedures for faster acquisition of equipment with short technological cycles, spiral designing and procurement of major platforms, and exploitation of modern technology before bulk procurement. Additionally, it incorporates pragmatic indigenous content and design evaluation, along with the utilization of indigenous military materials.
Streamlining Processes and Encouraging Participation
The new DAP also proposes to ease financial and experience criteria to encourage inclusive participation from a wider range of stakeholders. It delegates decision-making authority to expedite acquisitions and revamps trials and quality assurance processes. Aggressive infusion of digitization and automation in acquisition procedures and processes is another highlight, aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays.
Stakeholder Engagement and Implementation Timeline
The draft DAP-2026 document has been uploaded on the website of the defence ministry, inviting comments and suggestions from various stakeholders. Once approved, it will replace the current Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020, marking a pivotal shift in India's defence procurement landscape.
This proposed update reflects the government's commitment to modernizing defence capabilities while fostering a robust, self-reliant industrial base. The integration of advanced technologies and streamlined processes is set to position India more competitively in the global defence arena.
