The Ministry of Defence’s “Technology Vision and Capability Roadmap” outlines requirements and capabilities the armed forces will need over the next decade and a half.
Ministry of Defence
The Narendra Modi government has prepared a comprehensive 15-year roadmap to modernize India’s armed forces, backed by billions of dollars in funding and cutting-edge technology.
The Ministry of Defence’s “Technology Vision and Capability Roadmap” outlines requirements and capabilities the armed forces will need over the next decade and a half.
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“As the nation stands on the threshold of embracing greater challenges and responsibilities in the forthcoming decades, it is imperative that the Services be equipped accordingly,” the report stated.
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The modernization plan includes nuclear-powered warships, next-generation battle tanks, hypersonic missiles, stealth bomber drones, AI-powered weapons, and space-based warfare systems.
The Indian Army is set to induct nearly 1,800 future-ready tanks to replace its Soviet-era T-72 fleet, along with 400 light tanks for mountain warfare, 50,000 tank-mounted anti-tank guided missiles, and more than 700 robotic counter-IED systems.
The Indian Navy will acquire a new aircraft carrier, 10 next-generation frigates, seven advanced corvettes, and four landing dock platforms. “Nuclear propulsion for warships has been greenlit, as well as electromagnetic aircraft launch systems,” the report noted.
The Indian Air Force will be equipped with 75 high-altitude pseudo-satellites, 150 stealth bomber drones, hundreds of precision-guided munitions, and over 100 remotely piloted aircraft.
The modernization blueprint is seen as a bold step to strengthen India’s defence posture in the age of artificial intelligence, cyber and space warfare.
Analysts say the move reflects lessons learned from contemporary conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and the recently concluded Israel-Iran-America confrontation.
After Operation Sindoor, debates within India’s security establishment have intensified on how to adapt to rapidly evolving warfare tactics and prepare for emerging threats of the 21st century.
Speaking in Gorakhpur on Friday, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan identified six major security challenges facing the country. Among them, he cited the unresolved border dispute with China, describing it as India’s “biggest challenge,” and recalling that such disputes sparked wars in 1947, 1962 and 1965.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing proxy war strategy of “bleeding India by a thousand cuts” as another significant security concern.
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