Govt proposes new defence acquisition procedure aligned with evolving geo-strategic landscape

NEW DELHI: In keeping with changing times, the govt has proposed a new ‘Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2026’ that aims to align India’s defence acquisition with the rapidly evolving geo-strategic landscape, growth of Indian economy, the skilling of human capital, growth of private defence industry in the country and technological imperatives of modern warfare. DAP is the official policy framework governing the procurement of military weapons, systems and platforms for India’s armed forces.The proposed DAP-2026 seeks to ensure categorisation and procurement strategy based on technological availability and manufacturing readiness, and to accelerate the acquisition process, the govt said on Tuesday. It will also propel jointness, atmanirbharta and integration, force modernisation and speed of acquisition with the scaling of production, leading to growth and development of the defence ecosystem in the country.The draft DAP-2026 document has been uploaded on the website of the defence ministry. It has sought comments or suggestions from various stakeholders. Once approved, it will replace the Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020 in force now.DAP, the cornerstone of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat‘ initiative in defence, focuses on institutionalised preference for ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ (indigenously designed, developed and manufactured) category for procurement, thereby boosting domestic manufacturing and effectively reducing imports.The proposed draft will ensure exclusive procedures for faster acquisition of equipment with a short technological cycle, spiral designing & procurement of major platforms, exploitation of modern technology before bulk procurement, pragmatic indigenous content and indigenous design content evaluation, and utilisation of indigenous military material.The new DAP also proposes to ease financial and experience criteria for inclusive participation, delegation of decision-making for quicker acquisition, the revamping of trials and quality assurance processes, aggressive infusion of digitisation and automation in acquisition procedures and processes.