India has approved yet another multi-billion-dollar defense procurement package as part of its ongoing effort to modernize its armed forces and strengthen self-reliance in military production. On October 23, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, cleared proposals worth approximately $8.8 billion for the acquisition of advanced missiles, surveillance systems, and amphibious vessels. The latest approval underscores New Delhi’s sustained drive to bolster its deterrence capabilities amid escalating regional tensions and intensifying global power competition.
According to the Indian Defense Ministry, the new acquisitions will significantly enhance the operational readiness of all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces-Army, Navy, and Air Force. The approvals include a diverse range of systems designed to address India’s strategic vulnerabilities, from maritime security to ground-based surveillance and long-range strike capability.
For the Indian Navy, the DAC approved the procurement of landing platform docks (LPDs) to enable amphibious operations-an area of growing importance as India seeks to project power and ensure rapid troop deployment along its vast coastline and island territories. The navy will also receive 30mm naval surface guns to strengthen low-intensity maritime and anti-piracy operations, a critical need given the rising incidents of piracy and trafficking in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
In addition, the navy’s underwater warfare capacity will receive a boost with the induction of lightweight torpedoes developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). These torpedoes are designed to target enemy submarines with greater precision, a capability deemed vital as China expands its submarine presence in the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Army will be reinforced with the Nag tracked-missile systems, indigenous anti-tank guided missiles designed to neutralize enemy armored vehicles and fortifications. These systems, also developed by DRDO, form part of India’s long-standing effort to reduce dependency on imported missile systems. The army will also deploy ground-based mobile electronic intelligence systems capable of round-the-clock monitoring of adversary communications and movements-an essential tool for countering infiltration and border incursions. To improve logistics, the army will receive high-mobility vehicles optimized for transporting equipment across difficult terrains such as the Himalayas and deserts.
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will gain collaborative long-range target saturation and destruction systems featuring autonomous capabilities, reflecting India’s interest in next-generation, AI-assisted warfare technologies. These systems will allow coordinated strikes on multiple targets, increasing the IAF’s capacity for offensive operations and battlefield dominance.
The October package continues a pattern of large-scale defense spending seen throughout 2024 and 2025. In August 2025, New Delhi approved approximately $7.6 billion in defense acquisitions, including additional BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles-jointly developed with Russia-and armed drones to enhance surveillance and strike capabilities. Earlier, in March, the DAC granted initial approval for procurements exceeding $6.26 billion, which included upgraded engines for T-90 battle tanks, anti-submarine torpedoes, and airborne early warning and control systems.
These consecutive spending waves reflect not only India’s urgency to modernize but also its broader strategic objectives: to maintain military superiority in South Asia, deter cross-border threats, and secure its interests across the Indo-Pacific region.
India’s defense spending spree comes against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile neighborhood. The country faces a dual-front security challenge-border tensions with China in the Himalayas and ongoing disputes with Pakistan over Kashmir. The deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in 2020 exposed gaps in India’s surveillance and rapid deployment capabilities, prompting the government to accelerate defense modernization.
Additionally, the expanding Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean has raised alarm in New Delhi. Beijing’s network of overseas bases and port access agreements-stretching from Djibouti to Myanmar-has been viewed as part of a “string of pearls” strategy to encircle India strategically. The procurement of amphibious vessels, naval guns, and advanced torpedoes directly responds to this perceived encroachment.
On the western front, India continues to face sporadic shelling and infiltration attempts from Pakistan. The acquisition of advanced missile systems and intelligence-gathering platforms is intended to provide both deterrence and early warning capabilities in such scenarios.
India remains one of the world’s top defense importers, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has pushed aggressively for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) in defense production. The new approvals feature significant participation from domestic firms and DRDO-developed systems.
Yet, Russia continues to play a key role in India’s defense ecosystem. Many of the platforms-ranging from tanks and aircraft to missile systems-are of Russian origin, and Moscow remains a trusted technology transfer partner. Under various licensing agreements, India manufactures Russian-designed equipment domestically, such as the BrahMos missiles and T-90 tanks. Despite Western pressure following the war in Ukraine, India has maintained its defense cooperation with Russia, citing strategic autonomy and the long-standing reliability of Russian technology.
At the same time, India has diversified its defense partnerships, deepening ties with the United States, France, and Israel. The US-India defense relationship, in particular, has grown rapidly, encompassing joint exercises, technology sharing, and industrial collaboration under frameworks such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
While India’s defense expenditure has steadily increased, it faces questions about fiscal sustainability and efficiency. Critics argue that large capital outlays risk straining public finances at a time when the government must also fund infrastructure, welfare, and climate adaptation programs. However, supporters contend that the investments are necessary for a nation aspiring to become a leading power and counterbalance to China in Asia.
The emphasis on indigenous development also promises long-term economic benefits. Defense manufacturing can create high-skilled jobs, foster innovation, and stimulate private sector participation in advanced engineering. India has already opened up its defense sector to greater foreign direct investment (FDI), aiming to attract global manufacturers to set up production lines domestically.
The $8.8 billion procurement plan approved this week reaffirms India’s determination to transform its armed forces into a modern, self-sufficient, and technologically advanced military power. By simultaneously upgrading all three branches and promoting indigenous capabilities, New Delhi is signaling both strategic confidence and regional ambition.
As geopolitical rivalries intensify and maritime security challenges grow, India’s latest defense investments mark a decisive step in its evolution from a reactive regional power to a proactive force shaping the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific.
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Abul Quashem Joarder, a contributor to Blitz is geopolitical and military expert.
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