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India's DAP 2026 Aims for Defence Self-Reliance with New Procurement Rules

The Ministry of Defence has released the draft Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 to replace the 2020 version. It aims to accelerate procurement, strengthen indigenous manufacturing, and reduce import dependence. Key reforms include raising indigenous content requirements, introducing new acquisition categories, and streamlining trial processes. The draft is now open for stakeholder feedback on the official MoD website.

Key Points: Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 Draft: Key Changes Explained

  • Indigenous content raised to 60%
  • Procurement categories reduced from 5 to 4
  • New Long Term Bulk Acquisition procedure
  • Refined Fast Track for emerging tech
  • Mandated timeline monitoring from RFI stage
2 min read

Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 proposes transformative leap in India's defence procurement

India's draft DAP 2026 boosts indigenous content to 60%, streamlines procurement, and introduces new categories to cut timelines and imports.

"designed to bolster self-reliance, accelerate acquisition timelines, and strengthen the Indian defence industrial ecosystem - Ministry of Defence"

New Delhi, February 13

The Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026, the draft of which was released recently by the Ministry of Defence to replace the existing 2020 version, is designed to bolster self-reliance, accelerate acquisition timelines, and strengthen the Indian defence industrial ecosystem.

It aims to build a stronger indigenous defence manufacturing base, reduce import dependence, and position India as a global leader in defence technology by streamlining processes, enhancing indigenous content mandates & introducing innovative procurement categories, the Ministry of Defence statement added.

Among the key changes, procurement categories have been reduced from five to four. Indigenous design has been clearly defined to promote Aatmanirbharta.

The indigenous content requirement in the Buy (Indian-Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacture) category has been raised from 50 per cent to 60 per cent, with added incentives for higher localisation.

The draft also proposed involving subject experts in finalising the Services Qualitative Requirements and overseeing trials. New procedures include Long Term Bulk Acquisition to provide industry visibility and Low-Cost Capital Acquisition for fast-moving, low-cost technology items. Introduction of Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-based categorisation.

An ab-initio single vendor provision has been allowed in the Buy (Indian-Indigenous Design, Development and Manufacture) category for equipment with TRL between 6 and 9.

Two-stage trials have been introduced, and the Fast Track Procedure has been refined with downward delegation of powers for procurement involving emerging technologies and shorter development cycles.

The draft provided compensation to vendors who successfully complete trial evaluations. It also reviewed the selection process of Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP) for projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to ensure a level playing field.

Make and iDEX projects have been updated with spiral development and five years of assured orders. The services will be able to select the Quality Assurance (QA) trial mode to reduce procurement timelines.

The draft also mandates monitoring of timelines from the Request for Information (RFI) stage and planning concurrent activities to shorten acquisition cycles.

The draft DAP 2026 has been uploaded on the official MoD website, seeking suggestions and comments from all stakeholders.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Streamlining procurement is crucial. The two-stage trials and faster QA should cut down the infamous delays. Hope this translates to our soldiers getting better equipment on time.
R
Rahul R
While the intent is good, execution is key. We've had policies before. Will this truly break the monopoly of a few big players and DPSUs? Need to see more on how MSMEs will benefit practically.
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Arjun K
Excellent move! The single vendor provision for high-TRL indigenous tech is a game-changer. It will encourage our startups to develop cutting-edge solutions without fear of last-minute foreign competition undercutting them.
S
Sarah B
Monitoring timelines from the RFI stage is a smart, process-oriented change. Long-term bulk acquisition gives industry the visibility needed for capital planning. This seems like a well-thought-out draft.
K
Karthik V
Aatmanirbharta in defence is not just an option, it's a strategic necessity. Glad to see the policy is evolving to match that vision. Compensation for vendors after trials is a much-needed fairness clause.

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