The Battlefield Change and the Indian Armed Forces

The Battlefield Change and the Indian Armed Forces 3 Oct 2025

The Battlefield Change and the Indian Armed Forces

Modern wars driven by AI, drones, and precision weapons cut costs but heighten risks. For India, a two-front threat demands urgent reforms in force structure, technology, and professional military education (PME), as past jointness efforts remain limited.

Structural Reforms to Strengthen Jointness of the Indian Armed Forces

  • Shift to Integrated Theatre Commands: There was an emphasis on moving from service silos to integrated theatre commands at the Combined Commanders Conference.
  • Empowering Commanders: The Ministry of Defence is reviewing structural and administrative rules, empowering commanders for joint operations under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025.
  • Tri-Service Agencies: Tri-service agencies for cyber, space, and special operations have been raised under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
  • Modular Battle Formations: New modular battle formations like “Rudra” and “Bhairav” combine infantry, artillery, armour, air defence, engineers, and surveillance for faster and flexible deployment.
  • Amphibious Operations Doctrine: The Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations integrates maritime, air, and land forces, though indigenous adaptation of theatre commands remains necessary.

Doctrine and Technology Evolution

  • Foundational Doctrines: Joint Doctrine (2017) and Army Land Warfare Doctrine (2018) laid the foundation for synergy and jointness.
  • Hybrid Warriors: There is the need for multi-domain “hybrid warriors” capable of intelligence, coding, and shaping narratives.
  • Modern Procurement: Procurement and new acquisition also supports joint operations: 
    • MQ-9B Hunter-Killer Drones: High-altitude, long-endurance drones acquired from the US for surveillance, reconnaissance, and missile deployment. This is a tri-service deal, exemplifying jointness.
    • Akashteer and IACCS Integration:  The Army’s Akashteer air defense system detects enemy planes and instantly transmits information to the Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) network, creating a seamless air defense shield.
    • Pralay Missile: A Quasi-Ballistic Missile capable of changing its path mid-air, making it difficult to intercept. It is designed to destroy enemy command posts and airfields.
    • Rafale M: The naval version of the Rafale, intended to enhance the strength of aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya

Challenges in Integration of Forces

  • Inter-Service Differences: The primary challenge is the persistent differences between the three services, where each seeks to maintain control over its own assets.
  • Slow Pace of Reforms: Despite discussing jointness for 10 years, joint training is only now commencing, indicating slow progress

Way Forward

  • Embedding Integration and Standards: India’s next step is to place integration and learning at the centre of military power. 
    • This means establishing a stable and effective jointness that sets common data and interface standards. 
    • Despite inter-services differences, theatre commands should be activated, maybe with initial mandates and expanding authorities assessed over time.
  • Professional Military Education (PME): PME must cultivate technologist-commanders capable of adaptive operations, learning from trial-and-error.
  • Civil-Military Collaboration: Civil-military fusion with DRDO, DPSUs, private industry, and universities is crucial for coding, prototyping, testing, and rapid adaptation.
  • Industrial Base Integration: Strong industrial base integration ensures iterative improvement and battlefield adaptability.

Conclusion

India’s military reforms, focused on jointness, integration, and modernisation, aim to meet multi-domain threats effectively. Sustained structural, doctrinal, and technological evolution is crucial for operational readiness and battlefield adaptability.

Mains Practice

Q. “The future battlefield will be defined by rapid technological adaptation and jointness.” Examine the preparedness of the Indian armed forces in integrating new technologies and joint command structures to address these challenges. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
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हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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