Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Kotak Flags HAL, BEL as Defence Approval Beneficiaries
India has approved a very large set of possible defence purchases.
The total value is about Rs 1.1 lakh crore.
Most of the spending is expected to go to Indian companies.
Kotak says Bharat Electronics could benefit from many different defence projects.
It says Hindustan Aeronautics could receive the biggest single opportunity because it makes the ALH Dhruv helicopter.
Other companies may benefit from vehicles, bridge systems and other land equipment.
However, the approval is only an early step and does not mean orders have been placed yet.
Contracts could take one to two years, so the benefits may arrive gradually.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council cleared procurement proposals worth about Rs 1.1 lakh crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Nearly 98% of the package is earmarked for domestic industry, with emphasis on Buy-Indian and IDDM procurement routes.
Kotak identifies Bharat Electronics as a multi-item beneficiary and Hindustan Aeronautics as the largest single-ticket beneficiary.
BEML, Larsen & Toubro, Ashok Leyland Defence, Tata group companies and Bharat Forge could benefit from land-systems approvals.
The Acceptance of Necessity stage is not a purchase order; contracts may take one to two years, with most order accrual expected during FY27-29.
- Who
- India’s Defence Acquisition Council, the armed forces and defence companies assessed by Kotak Institutional Equities.
- What
- The council approved defence procurement proposals worth about Rs 1.1 lakh crore, potentially creating a long-term order pipeline for domestic companies.
- When
- The approvals were announced on September 7; Kotak expects most related order accrual during FY27-29.
- Where
- India, covering procurement for the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
- Why
- The approvals are intended to support defence procurement, with nearly 98% of the value earmarked for domestic industry.
Long-term opportunity
Near-term caution
Effect of the approvals
Long-term opportunity
Kotak believes the predominantly domestic package can strengthen the long-term order pipeline and identifies Hindustan Aeronautics and Bharat Electronics as major beneficiaries.
Near-term caution
The approvals are only an in-principle Acceptance of Necessity and do not represent confirmed purchase orders, so immediate earnings benefits are unlikely.
Stock preferences
Long-term opportunity
Kotak retains an Add rating on Hindustan Aeronautics and calls it the preferred defence-sector stock because of the ALH Dhruv opportunity and other programmes.
Near-term caution
Kotak rates Bharat Electronics Reduce and rates Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Cochin Shipyard and Solar Industries India Sell, showing that sector-wide approvals do not imply equal investment appeal.
- Approval value
- Approximately Rs 1.1 lakh crore
- Domestic share
- Nearly 98% of the value is earmarked for domestic industry
- Key Kotak pick
- Hindustan Aeronautics, which has an Add rating
- Multi-item beneficiary
- Bharat Electronics, despite Kotak’s Reduce rating
- Contract timeline
- Typically one to two years after Acceptance of Necessity
- Expected order accrual
- Mostly during FY27-29
- Other companies cited
- BEML, Larsen & Toubro, Ashok Leyland Defence, Tata group companies and Bharat Forge