India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) — the country's top defence procurement body, headed by the defence minister — granted in-principle approval on Friday for the purchase of military equipment worth approximately $5.46 billion (INR 520 billion). The package includes anti-drone and electronic warfare systems, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, portable anti-tank missiles, a jet-based kamikaze drone system for the army, naval mines, shipborne drones, and a high-altitude unmanned surveillance platform for the air force. The approval is part of India's broader push to modernise its armed forces and reduce reliance on Russia, its traditional arms supplier, coming months after a brief but tense four-day military conflict with Pakistan and amid growing concern over China's expanding presence in Indian Ocean shipping lanes.