I. What is the New Roadmap?
- Occasion: Unveiled by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025.
- Objective: To transform the Indian Army into an integrated, multi-domain, future-ready force by 2047 (Centenary of Independence).
- Year of Reforms: The Defence Minister has designated 2025 as the “Year of Reforms,” providing momentum to this modernization.
II. The Timeline: The roadmap is divided into three distinct phases:
- Phase I (Present – 2032): Termed the “Decade of Transformation.” Focuses on accelerated capability development, restructuring force architecture, and enhancing operational readiness.
- Phase II (2032 – 2037): Consolidation Phase. Focuses on stabilizing and optimizing the gains achieved during the first decade.
- Phase III (2037 – 2047): Final Integration. Envisions a fully integrated force design equipped for next-generation warfare (Cyber, Space, AI).
III. What are the Pillars of Evolution? The Army Chief outlined four Hindi terminologies representing the strategic pillars:
- Swadeshikaran Se Sashaktikaran (Empowerment through Indigenisation): Focus on Atmanirbharta (Self-reliance) in defence manufacturing and technology absorption.
- Anusandhan (Innovation): Shifting from experimentation to enterprise-level impact in AI, Quantum, and Cyber domains (utilizing platforms like iDEX and ADITI).
- Anukulan (Adaptation): Reforming the larger defence ecosystem to match global standards.
- Ekikaran (Integration): Emphasizing deeper Military-Civil Fusion and jointness among services.
IV. Key Terminologies & Initiatives:
- Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC):
- A major structural reform to unify Army, Navy, and Air Force operations under a single commander for specific geographical theatres (unlike the current service-specific commands).
- ISO Rules 2025: The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025 have been notified to empower joint commanders with cross-service disciplinary authority.
- Project Akashteer:
- The Army’s automated air defence control and reporting system.
- It integrates with the Air Force’s IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System) to eliminate friendly fire and ensure airspace safety.
- Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs):
- Agile, brigade-sized, self-sufficient combat formations capable of swift strikes (mobilisation within 12-48 hours).
- New Units & Assets:
- ASHNI Platoons: New units integrating advanced technology with traditional combat skills.
- Pralay Missile: A quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile for land-based theatre fires.
- MQ-9B Drones: High-altitude long-endurance drones for persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).
