India has launched a comprehensive review of its Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, in a bid to modernise and streamline one of the world’s most complex and delay-ridden procurement systems. The review, announced by the Ministry of Defence on 17 June 2025, is part of a national strategy to accelerate acquisition timelines, localise production, and foster private-sector innovation.
Why Reform Now?
India’s defence procurement process has long been criticised for being slow, opaque, and risk-averse. Contracts often take 7 to 10 years from initiation to fulfilment, delays that have hampered the modernisation of the country’s vast armed forces.
The current Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020) was a step toward rationalisation, but policymakers now argue that even more agile and decentralised processes are needed to keep pace with technological change and security needs.
Key Reform Pillars
The review will focus on:
- Reducing procurement cycle times by up to 50%
- Integrating emerging technologies (AI, robotics, cyber systems) into acquisition frameworks
- Expanding participation from private industry and MSMEs
- Prioritising “Make in India” and “Buy Indian” categories to reduce foreign dependency
- Simplifying approval structures and redefining accountability mechanisms
The Atmanirbhar Bharat Imperative
At the centre of the reform lies the government’s flagship “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative. The aim is to build indigenous capability, reduce reliance on foreign arms imports (currently over 60% of India’s defence procurement), and turn India into a net exporter of defence technology by 2030.
Notably, the Indian government has identified more than 500 military items for domestic production over the next five years, from drones and small arms to advanced sensors and battlefield communications equipment.
Innovation and Industry
The new procedure will seek to attract start-ups, academic R&D labs, and joint ventures into the procurement pipeline, creating a more innovation-driven acquisition ecosystem. The goal is not merely to procure hardware, but to incubate capability.
While the reforms are ambitious, they have been widely welcomed by defence analysts and industry stakeholders. If successful, they could position India not only as a buyer of arms, but as a serious strategic supplier in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Sources:
Times of India – India reviews arms procurement process (17 June 2025)
