The council accorded ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ (AoN) for the procurement of a 1350 HP engine to upgrade the present 1000 HP engine for the T-90 tanks. This will enhance the battlefield mobility of these tanks especially in high-altitude areas by increasing the power-to-weight ratio, according to a Defence Ministry statement. Similarly, the Council gave its nod for the procurement of the indigenously-developed Varunastra Torpedoes (Combat) for the Indian Navy. The large orders being placed for India-made military hardware have also resulted in an increase in self-reliance in accordance with the government’s Atmanirbhar goal. Rajnath Singh has expressed confidence that defence production, having crossed the record figure of Rs 1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24, will exceed Rs 1.60 lakh crore by the end of 2025-26 while defence exports, which touched the record figure of Rs 21,000 crore, will surpass Rs 30,000 crore.