Reorganisation and Modernisation of Indian Military
The Indian military is undergoing significant reorganisation and modernisation to become a more agile and functional fighting force, particularly after the insights gained from Operation Sindoor and international conflicts.
Emergency Procurement and Modern Technology
- The military has made extensive emergency procurements, spending Rs 30,000 crore on modern weapons and technology.
- Acquisitions include:
- Drones and loitering munitions
- Counter-unmanned aerial systems
- Standoff weapons like guided munitions and missiles
- Radars and electronic warfare equipment
- Fast-track procurement routes have been utilized for these acquisitions.
Insights from Operation Sindoor and Global Conflicts
Learnings from Operation Sindoor, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the West Asia conflict highlight the need for:
- Standoff weaponry
- Layered and strong air defense systems
- Mobile radars and artillery
- Sufficient stockpiles of munitions and missiles
Enhanced Weapons and Systems
- Operation Sindoor evidenced the efficiency of systems like the S-400 missile for air defense.
- Usage of advanced weaponry such as Scalp cruise missiles, Hammer smart weapon systems, BrahMos missiles, and guided bomb kits.
- Artillery advancements with Excalibur precision-guided rounds and loitering munitions.
- Acquisition plans for R-37 long-range air-to-air missiles from Russia and homegrown Astra BVRAAM.
Reorganisation into Smaller Units
- The Army is restructuring to form smaller, lethal units such as:
- Ashni platoons: Specialized drone platoons
- Bhairav battalions: High-mobility light commando units
- Rudra brigades: All-arms integrated combat formations
- Shaktibaan regiments: Focused on unmanned systems and precision firepower
- Divyastra batteries: Drone and loitering munition batteries
Future Strategies and Missile Force
- The paradigm shift in military strategy includes establishing a conventional missile force to control larger areas with fewer forces.
- This allows reserves to be available for offensive actions and other strategic tasks.
