Changing World and India’s Security

GII on March 4, 2025

BAYAR PALAK

In recent years, India has embarked on a journey to modernize its defence forces, aiming tobolster its capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical challenges. This endeavour is marked bysignificant advancements in technology, strategic partnerships, and extensive procurement plans.This trend is expected to gain pace with continuity in the government.

India has prioritized the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificialintelligence, unmanned systems, and cyber capabilities, into its defence framework. Theseadvancements aim to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness across all branches of themilitary.

Let’s take a look at some of the important areas of advancement:

Indigenous Manufacturing: The “Make in India” initiative has gained momentum in defenceproduction, fostering domestic manufacturing capabilities through partnerships with global defencemajors and incentivising local innovation. Projects like the Tejas fighter aircraft and Arjun tankshighlight India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence.

Nuclear Capabilities: India continues to strengthen its nuclear deterrence capabilities,focusing on both land- and sea-based delivery systems. The strengthening undersea leg of thenuclear triad with the addition of more Arihant-class ballistic-missile nuclear submarines, as well aslonger range missiles to be fired from them, show India's commitment to maintaining a crediblenuclear deterrence.

Rafale Fighter Jets: The acquisition of Rafale jets from France has been a cornerstone ofIndia’s air defence strategy, enhancing its aerial combat capabilities significantly.India and France have commenced negotiations for 26 Rafale (Marine), or Rafale (M), fighterjets. On completion of which the Rafale (M) deal will see the Indian Navy operate these aircraft fromits two aircraft carriers- INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

S-400 Air Defence System: India’s procurement of the S-400 Triumf missile defence systemfrom Russia represents a crucial step in bolstering its air defence capabilities against evolvingregional threats. India has already received three squadrons of the S-400 missile systems and willreceive the last two S-400 missile squadrons from Russia by 2026

Naval Modernization: The Indian Navy’s modernization efforts include the induction ofadvanced submarines, surface vessels, and another Vikrant-like aircraft carrier. Deal forprocurement of six advanced conventional submarines is in advanced stages under P-75I while Indiahas also initiated talks with Naval Group of France for acquiring three additional Scorpene-classsubmarines.

Future Projects: India’s defence pipeline includes upcoming deals for advanced fighter jets, naval helicopters, and artillery systems.

The Cabinet Committee on Security has already approved several major defence deals tostrengthen the armed forces. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will upgrade Su-30MKI fighter

jets, incorporating new radars, mission control systems, and weapon systems. The Indian Navy willacquire over 220 extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. Additionally, a licencemanufacture of GE-414 engines in India is in the pipeline which will power the LCA-MK2 fightersmeanwhile Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will produce high-powered radars and air-defence guns. Theseinvestments aim to enhance defence capabilities and promote self-reliance in defencemanufacturing.

Cyber and Space Domains: In a first the chief of defence staff, General Anil Chauhan,released India’s first joint doctrine for cyberspace operations, acknowledging that cyberspace hasemerged as a crucial and challenging domain in modern warfare.

With the emergence of cyberwarfare and space capabilities, India is actively enhancing itsdefensive and offensive capabilities in these domains to safeguard national interests.

As upcoming deals materialize and indigenous innovation flourishes, India’s journey towardsself-reliance and strategic autonomy in defence remains a focal point of its national securitystrategy.