What Happened
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) uploaded the draft Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026 on its website, seeking comments from stakeholders by 3 March 2026
- The draft aims to replace DAP-2020 and is built around four pillars: Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Integration, Force Modernisation, and Speed of Acquisition with Scaling of Production
- A key philosophical shift is from "Made in India" to "Owned by India" — prioritising Indian companies that retain source codes, critical design data, and full intellectual property rights
- The draft introduces new procurement protocols for fast-evolving technologies including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, autonomous platforms, and directed energy weapons
- It proposes easing financial and experience criteria for vendors, delegating decision-making for quicker acquisitions, and revamping the trials and quality assurance process
Static Topic Bridges
Defence Acquisition Procedure — Evolution from DPP to DAP
India's defence procurement framework has evolved through multiple iterations. The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) was first formalised in 2002 following the recommendations of the Group of Ministers after the Kargil conflict (1999). It was revised in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013, and 2016. In 2020, DPP was renamed to Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) to reflect its broader scope beyond procurement.
- DPP 2002: First formalised procedure; introduced offset clause concept
- DPP 2013: Introduced "Buy Indian-IDDM" (Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured) as the highest priority category
- DAP 2020: Renamed from DPP; banned import of 101 items (later expanded to 509 items across four "positive indigenisation lists"); introduced IDDM as default preference
- DAP 2026 (draft): Introduces categories based on technological availability and manufacturing readiness; exclusive protocols for AI, quantum, autonomous platforms, and directed energy weapons
- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister, is the apex body for approving capital acquisitions
- Final approval for acquisitions above a specified threshold requires the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
Connection to this news: DAP-2026 represents the latest iteration in India's evolving defence procurement framework, with significantly stronger emphasis on indigenous design ownership and IP retention rather than mere domestic manufacture.
Capital Acquisition Categories in Defence Procurement
Defence procurement in India is classified into distinct categories that determine the level of indigenous content required. DAP-2020 established a hierarchy of categories with increasing preference for domestic production.
- Buy (Indian-IDDM): Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured — highest priority; minimum 50% indigenous content on cost basis
- Buy (Indian): Procurement from Indian vendors with minimum indigenous content
- Buy and Make (Indian): Initial purchase from a foreign vendor followed by Transfer of Technology (ToT) for subsequent manufacture in India
- Buy and Make: Similar to above but with a foreign vendor as the lead
- Buy (Global): Open international competition — used only when no Indian vendor can meet requirements
- Make category: Government-funded or industry-funded R&D for indigenous development (Make-I: government funded 90%; Make-II: industry funded)
- Strategic Partnership (SP) Model: Introduced in DPP 2016 for select platforms (submarines, single-engine fighters, helicopters, armoured vehicles)
Connection to this news: DAP-2026 proposes restructuring these categories based on "technological availability and manufacturing readiness," and introduces IP retention and source code ownership as critical evaluation criteria.
Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence — Self-Reliance Policy Framework
The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Campaign), launched in May 2020, has a dedicated defence component aimed at reducing import dependence. India has historically been among the world's largest arms importers.
- Defence import embargo: Four positive indigenisation lists issued since 2020, covering 509 items with progressive timelines for import ban
- Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020: Target of $25 billion defence production and $5 billion exports by 2025
- Defence exports grew from approximately Rs 1,500 crore in 2016-17 to over Rs 21,083 crore in 2023-24
- iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): Engages startups and MSMEs for defence innovation
- Defence Industrial Corridors: Two corridors — Tamil Nadu (nodes at Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli) and Uttar Pradesh (nodes at Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow)
- FDI in defence: Up to 74% under automatic route; 100% through government approval for modern technology access
Connection to this news: DAP-2026 operationalises the Atmanirbharta vision at the procedural level by making indigenous design and IP ownership the primary criteria for vendor selection, moving beyond simple "Make in India" thresholds.
Key Facts & Data
- DAP-2026 replaces DAP-2020; feedback deadline: 3 March 2026
- Defence Acquisition Council (DAC): Chaired by Defence Minister; apex approval body for capital acquisitions
- India's defence capital budget 2025-26: Rs 1.80 lakh crore (approximately)
- India's rank among arms importers: 2nd largest globally (SIPRI, 2019-2023)
- Defence production in India (2023-24): Over Rs 1.27 lakh crore
- Defence exports (2023-24): Rs 21,083 crore — a record high
- DAP-2026 distinguishes between capital expenditure procurement (DAP) and maintenance procurement under revenue expenditure (Defence Procurement Manual 2025)