What Happened
New Framework Prioritizes Indigenous Design and Intellectual Property
India’s proposed Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 represents a major overhaul of the country’s defence procurement architecture, prioritizing indigenous design and intellectual property over simple assembly. The new framework aims to reduce dependence on imports for critical military capabilities and promote domestic defence manufacturing. According to ETGovernment, the draft DAP 2026 proposes higher indigenous content requirements, compressed acquisition timelines, and a greater emphasis on technological ownership.