Twenty-two Acceptances of Necessity (AoN) have been accorded by government authorities for the induction of several DRDO-developed systems worth approximately Rs 1.30 lakh crore. This equipment will be manufactured by Indian industries, officials reportedly said.
The systems mentioned by the DRDO for which AoN has been accorded include the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), the quick reaction surface-to-air missile system 'Anant Shastra', the Long-Range Air-to-Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile (LRASSCM), the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) MK II, and the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra Mk-II. The anti-tank Nag missile system (tracked) Mk-2, advanced lightweight torpedo, processor-based moored mine-next generation (PBMM NG), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Mk-1A, mountain radars, and a full mission simulator for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A were also named in the official statement by the DRDO.
For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India
DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat said the efforts of the DRDO have provided a "quantum jump" to India's pursuit of self-reliance in defence as part of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision. The DRDO has also opened its test facilities to industries, and more than 4,000 tests were carried out for private industries or DPSUs in 2025, news agency PTI quoted him as saying.
Understanding AoN
An AoN is the first step towards the procurement process. It is the second step of the procurement flow after Services Qualitative Requirements (SQR), in which the armed forces define what their necessities are. AoN is considered as the government green-lighting a procurement by acknowledging that the military actually needs a specific piece of equipment and has the budget to pay for it. It is granted by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is chaired by the Defence Minister. Steps including Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and negotiations become valid only after acquiring an AoN.
ALSO READ:
The type of equipment, quantity, cost estimate, and category of procurement are all reportedly specified in the Acceptance of Necessity.