By N. C. Bipindra
New Delhi: The Indian Army is accelerating a sweeping transformation in doctrine, technology, and force structure, drawing hard lessons from the Russia–Ukraine war, the Israel–Gaza conflict, and India’s own security challenges along the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, in an exclusive interview with Defence Capital, has made it clear: modern warfare is now defined by drones, data dominance, logistics resilience, and integrated, joint operations; and India is moving fast to stay ahead.
At the heart of this shift is the decisive impact of drones and electronic warfare. High-density drone warfare seen in Ukraine and Gaza has reinforced the Army’s focus on persistent surveillance, rapid targeting, and counter-drone systems, alongside stronger camouflage, dispersion, and hardened command-and-control networks.
Survivability, the Army Chief stressed, now depends as much on resilient communications and electronic protection as on traditional firepower.
Artillery and precision effects remain central to battlefield dominance. Recent conflicts have underscored that long-range fires, loitering munitions, and integrated air defence must function as a single system, where sensors, shooters, and shields operate in unison.
The Indian Army is therefore prioritising integrated targeting, faster decision cycles, and layered protection, rather than relying on standalone platforms.
Equally critical is logistics. General Dwivedi described sustainment as a decisive factor in high-intensity warfare, where ammunition stocks, repair capability, redundancy, and protected supply chains determine whether forces can maintain tempo over time.
The Army is strengthening its ability to rapidly restore combat power, recognising that logistics can decide outcomes as surely as frontline action.
On the western front, while the LoC ceasefire has largely held since Operation Sindoor, the Army assesses that Pakistan’s intent has not changed. Islamabad continues to rely on calibrated proxy warfare to fuel instability in Jammu and Kashmir while staying below the escalation threshold.
Recent infiltration attempts and ceasefire violations, even after DGMO-level understandings, highlight what the Army sees as a persistent pattern of cross-border aggression.
Pakistan’s evolving tactics now involve smaller, better-trained terrorist groups, flexible launch timings, exploitation of weather and terrain, drone-assisted logistics, narco-terror linkages, and attempts to blend into civilian populations.
In response, the Indian Army has significantly strengthened the counter-infiltration grid with advanced electro-optical sensors, ground surveillance systems, battlefield radars, UAVs, and enhanced night-fighting capabilities, all fused through improved command-and-control and data integration.
This has narrowed infiltration routes and enabled faster, more precise responses, while robust counter-terror operations continue in the hinterland.
Along the northern borders, five years after the standoff with China, the situation along the LAC remains stable but fragile, requiring constant vigilance.
The Army has recalibrated its posture to preserve peace while maintaining credible deterrence. Improved ground-level interactions, disengagement at friction points, and sustained diplomatic and military engagement have reduced the risk of miscalculation.
Measures such as expert groups on boundary issues, border management mechanisms, the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and discussions on border trade signal gradual normalisation, even as the Army continues to strengthen infrastructure, surveillance, and high-altitude logistics for long-term readiness.
Modernisation remains a top priority over the next five years, guided by jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and innovation. The Army is shifting from a network-centric to a fusion-centric force, aiming for punitive deterrence in a multi-domain battlespace.
Infantry units are being equipped with next-generation small arms, universal night capability, enhanced protection, and widespread use of drones. Artillery modernisation focuses on long-range missiles, rockets, and smart munitions, while air defence is transitioning to modern missile-based systems with strong counter-drone capability.
Budget constraints and import dependencies are being managed through phased inductions, upgrades of legacy platforms, and a strong emphasis on indigenous development.
Adapting to emerging technologies is central to the Army’s vision of future warfare. AI-enabled ISR, drones, electronic warfare, cyber capabilities, and robotics are being integrated into core combat structures, not treated as add-ons.
Data from land, air, space, and cyber domains is being fused to generate a common operational picture, compressing decision cycles and enhancing precision.
The Army’s vision of the “future soldier” by 2030 is a technologically empowered, fully networked warrior—skilled, adaptable, and capable of operating alongside unmanned systems while retaining human judgement at the centre of combat power.
Structural reform through theatre commands is expected to further enhance combat effectiveness. By placing entire operational theatres under a single commander, the new structure will ensure unity of command, faster decision-making, and optimal use of national resources across land, air, maritime, cyber, and space domains.
Beyond combat readiness, General Dwivedi emphasised that soldier welfare, veterans’ issues, and mental health remain central to the Army’s ethos. A comprehensive ecosystem covering healthcare, education, housing, pensions, and psychological resilience supports serving personnel, veterans, and families alike, reinforcing morale and cohesion.
Taken together, the Army Chief’s assessment paints a clear picture: India’s military is not merely reacting to global conflicts but actively reshaping itself for a future where technology, integration, and resilience will define victory.
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