New Delhi: In a major push for defense acquisitions, the Rajnath Singh-led Defense Acquisition Council on Friday approved various proposals worth about Rs 2.38 lakh crore, including additional units of Russian-made S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems and 155 mm Dhanush – howitzer – gun systems.“The decisions taken in the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) will help in further strengthening India’s defense preparedness. It is heartening to note that in the financial year 2025-26, AON for 55 proposals amounting to Rs 6.73 lakh crore has been approved by the DAC. Additionally, capital procurement contracts have been signed for 503 proposals amounting to Rs 2.28 lakh crore in the current financial year. This is the highest in any financial year. numbers in the year,” Rajnath said in a post on X.The approval for additional S-400 ‘Sudarshan’ systems, which helped neutralize Pakistani missiles during the conflict in May last year and was also credited with shooting down an enemy aircraft from the longest range in the world, comes at a time when Indian Air Force teams are in Russia to receive a fourth squadron under an earlier contract for five such systems.The fourth system is likely to arrive by May and the fifth squadron by December.Another major approval is the approval for procurement of medium transport aircraft, of which there will likely be 60, to replace the Indian Air Force’s aging transport fleet of AN32 and IL-76, helping the force meet the strategic, tactical and operational airlift requirements of the Army. Brazilian firm Embraer, US company Lockheed Martin and Russian manufacturer Ilyushin are the main contenders for the mega contract.For the Army, the Defense Council has approved air defense track system, armour-piercing tank ammunition, high capacity radio relay, runway independent air surveillance system and 155 mm bow gun system. For air defense tracked systems, reports indicate that India may acquire the Russian Pantsir-S1 system to protect its S-400 assets from low-flying threats and drones.“The air defense track system will provide real-time air defense control and reporting capability, while high-capacity radio relays will provide reliable and fail-proof communications,” a Defense Ministry statement said. The Runway Independent Air Surveillance System will provide surveillance capabilities to Army units, with armor piercing tank ammunition enhancing the lethality of anti-tank ammunition.The 155 mm Dhanush howitzer guns, deployed along the borders with Pakistan and China, will enhance the artillery’s capabilities to engage targets at long ranges in all terrains with increased lethality and accuracy. The indigenous guns, whose design is based on the Bofors howitzer, have already been inducted into the Army as an order for 114 guns was placed a few years ago.For the IAF, the DAC has approved the overhaul of remotely piloted strike aircraft and Su-30 aero engine assemblies to extend the service life of the IAF’s main fighter aircraft. The remotely piloted strike aircraft will be capable of conducting offensive counter-attack and coordinated air operations and provide covert intelligence, surveillance and identification activities.For the Indian Coast Guard, DAC provided AON for heavy-duty air cushion vehicles. These vehicles will be used for multi-role littoral operational roles, including high speed coastal patrolling, reconnaissance, search and rescue operations.