Department of Defence has prepared the draft DAP-2026 to propel jointness, atmanirbharta, force modernisation, scaling of production of defence ecosystem.

• Once approved, it will replace the Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020.

Key provisions of the draft

• Aim: To align India’s defence acquisition with “rapidly evolving geo-strategic landscape”, growth of economy, growth of the private defence industry and create technological imperatives of modern warfare.
• Proposes to ease financial and experience criteria: For inclusive participation, delegation of decision making for quicker acquisition, revamping of trials and quality assurance processes.
• Aggressive infusion of digitisation & automation: In acquisition procedures and processes.
• Atmanirbharta: Focuses on institutionalised preference for “Buy Indian-IDDM (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)” category for procurement. 
• Categorisation of acquisition projects: Based on technological availability and manufacturing readiness etc. to promote self reliance and innovation.
• Start-ups and MSMEs: Can receive advance payments against IP rights or bank guarantees.
• Revamping Quality and Trials: Streamlines the Trials and Quality Assurance (QA) processes to align with manufacturing readiness and short technological cycles.