The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the purchase of 288 S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia at an estimated cost of ₹10,000 crore. The decision comes as part of a broader push to replenish India’s air defence inventory following its extensive use during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 and to strengthen future aerial defence capabilities.

Under the approval, 120 short-range and 168 long-range S-400 missiles will be procured through the Fast Track Procedure (FTP), government sources told Hindustan Times. India is already set to receive two additional S-400 systems — previously contracted — in June and November 2026.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also proposed acquiring five more S-400 systems and Pantsir short-range air defence systems from Russia. The S-400 and Pantsir platforms can be integrated into a layered air defence architecture capable of intercepting aerial threats, including armed and kamikaze drones.

The replenishment move follows the widespread deployment of the Russian S-400 batteries during Operation Sindoor, where the systems were credited with neutralising Pakistani fighter aircraft, early-warning platforms and drones. Indian forces even used an S-400 long-range missile to strike a Pakistani aircraft deep inside Punjab, Pakistan at a range of 314 km, significantly impacting adversary air operations.

India’s defence procurement involves multiple layers of oversight. After a requirement is defined in the Statement of Case, it is reviewed by the Defence Procurement Board and then forwarded to the DAC for AoN. Once the AoN is granted, price negotiations are held with the vendor, followed by financial sanction from the competent authority and final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

On the same day, DAC approved capital acquisition proposals valued at about ₹3.60 lakh crore for all three services. The procurement plans for the Indian Air Force included Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), referring to additional Rafale fighter jets, combat missiles, and Air-Ship-based High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS) systems designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

In a significant parallel development, the DAC also cleared a long-pending proposal to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter jets from France, in a government-to-government deal. Sources report that this agreement, expected to be worth around ₹3.25 lakh crore, could become one of India’s largest defence contracts once finalised and ratified by the Cabinet.

This Rafale acquisition aims to substantially enhance India’s air combat capabilities and deterrence posture amid evolving regional security challenges. Around 20 aircraft are likely to be procured in fly-away condition, with the remainder manufactured in India under collaboration between French manufacturer Dassault Aviation and Indian industry partners.

The IAF currently operates 36 Rafales, with additional orders already placed for 26 naval Rafale-M fighters for deployment on India’s aircraft carriers. The new 114 jets will further bolster fleet strength and aerial dominance across the conflict spectrum.

Alongside these major approvals, DAC accorded AoN for-

• Anti-tank mines and overhaul of armoured recovery vehicles, T-72 tanks and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles for the Indian Army.
• P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft and marine power generators for the Indian Navy.