MoD Unveils Draft DAP 2026 to Enhance Indigenisation and Expedite Defence Procurement
The Ministry of Defence has unveiled the draft for the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026, seeking feedback from stakeholders. This initiative is seen as a significant move toward enhancing indigenisation and reinforcing defence self-reliance in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The draft outlines capital procurement for the fiscal year 2026–27, with an estimated budget of approximately ₹2.19 lakh crore. The procurement process is set to begin on April 1, 2026, with plans to synchronise the new procedure with the upcoming financial year. Stakeholders have until March 3 to provide their comments and suggestions.
A primary focus of DAP 2026 is to institutionalise the prioritisation of the Buy Indian-IDDM category, which involves Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured equipment. This strategy aims to decrease import reliance and boost domestic manufacturing capabilities. Nonetheless, the framework permits importing critical systems not available locally, indicating a balanced procurement approach.
The draft highlights quicker modernisation by streamlining processes, delegating more financial and decision-making powers, and shortening acquisition timelines. Additionally, it suggests differentiated procurement pathways according to technology maturity, including expedited routes for systems with brief technology cycles and provisions for the spiral development of significant platforms.
To broaden participation, the Ministry has proposed relaxing certain financial and experience criteria, encouraging more involvement from domestic companies, including new and non-traditional defence suppliers. A stronger emphasis on evaluating indigenous content and design is underscored as a fundamental aspect of procurement decisions.
Digitisation and automation are also central to DAP 2026. The draft proposes data-driven decision-making, digital governance, enhanced transparency, and improved project tracking to facilitate timely and efficient acquisitions. Reforms in trials and quality assurance processes are suggested to modernise evaluation without causing unnecessary delays.
The procedure places a renewed focus on intellectual property rights stemming from indigenous design efforts, with the aim to retain IPR within Indian entities and encourage continued investment in research and development. The draft also seeks to align capital procurement under DAP 2026 with the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025, which manages revenue procurement, ensuring a clearer delineation and coherence throughout defence spending.
Framed as a pivotal enabler of Viksit Bharat-2047, the draft DAP 2026 aspires to merge national security needs with technological advancement, industrial growth, and export potential. If implemented as proposed, it is anticipated to significantly transform India's defence procurement landscape—making it faster, more transparent, and more oriented toward self-reliance while maintaining strategic flexibility.
