OPINION | Challenges in modernising India’s military

Modernising the Indian Armed Forces is an ongoing and complex process. Like all militaries, India must continuously update its equipment, organisation, and technology to remain ready for any conflict. The objective is not only to win wars but also to deter them by maintaining credible combat capabilities.

 

 

India’s security environment demands this readiness. Pakistan continues to use terrorism as state policy, while China repeatedly tests Indian resolve through border incursions. Both countries are in close military and strategic cooperation, posing a two-front threat. In such a setting, India must be prepared to fight — and win — short-notice and possibly prolonged wars under a nuclear shadow.

 

 

Modernisation, however, is an expensive affair. A single Rafale fighter costs nearly ₹1,640 crore; the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, over ₹20,000 crore. Delaying such projects only makes them costlier. Yet, while resources are finite, the price of neglect is far greater — strategic vulnerability.

 

The Indian Army: A Need for Transformation

 

 

The Indian Army, the largest of the three services, faces the biggest challenge in modernising its vast inventory. Much of its equipment is outdated, and its systems are manpower-heavy rather than technology-driven. The Army of the future must be leaner, smarter, and more specialised, with technology integrated into every level of operations.

 

 

Infantry

 

 

The infantry remains India’s frontline against terrorism and infiltration. It needs lighter, modern rifles, bullet-proof gear, night-vision systems, and communication sets to replace old models. More specialists — engineers, drone operators, and cyber experts — must replace the traditional large numbers of general-duty soldiers. Converting some regular infantry battalions into Special Forces units could increase flexibility and effectiveness.

 

Artillery

 

Artillery modernisation has picked up after decades of stagnation. New 155 mm guns such as the Dhanush and ATAGS are replacing older 130 mm models, while long-range precision weapons like BrahMos missiles and Pinaka rocket systems enhance striking power.

 

 

Mechanised Forces

 

 

The Army’s tank fleet, dominated by Russian-origin T-72s and T-90s, requires gradual replacement. Indigenous programmes like the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) and Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) aim to deliver next-generation tanks and armoured vehicles within the decade, though progress has been slow.

 

 

Army Aviation and Air Defence

 

 

New Apache attack helicopters and Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) are replacing vintage Cheetahs and Chetaks. The Army’s air defence systems are also being overhauled with indigenous Akash missiles and joint India-Israel MRSAM systems. However, there remains a serious shortage of modern control and reporting systems.

 

 

Engineers and Night Vision

 

 

Combat engineers need upgraded bridging and mine-clearing systems, while all combat units must become “night-enabled” through modern imaging equipment — a long-standing gap in India’s fighting capability.

 

The Indian Navy: A Blue-Water Force in Transition

 

 

The Indian Navy, the world’s fourth-largest, has the mission of protecting India’s maritime interests and sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. Its fleet includes over 100 ships, two aircraft carriers, and a growing aviation arm. Yet many of its assets are ageing, and replacements face delays.

 

 

Aircraft Carriers

 

 

India currently operates two carriers — Vikramaditya and Vikrant — but only one is usually fully operational. The Navy’s goal is to maintain three operational carriers for 24/7 deployment in both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. However, the high cost and growing vulnerability of carriers to missiles and drones have raised debate about whether India should build a third.

 

 

Submarines

 

 

This is the Navy’s most serious weakness. Against a requirement of 24 submarines, India has only 16, of which barely 10 are combat-ready. Most diesel-electric submarines are over 30 years old, and new Scorpene-class boats have arrived slowly and without planned air-independent propulsion (AIP). China’s fleet exceeds 60 submarines, and Pakistan is acquiring eight AIP-equipped ones — widening the capability gap. The indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarine programme is delayed due to technological and industrial constraints.

 

 

Destroyers and Frigates

 

 

India’s destroyers and frigates are advanced but too few in number. Two new Visakhapatnam-class destroyers are in service, with two more to come. Frigates of the Shivalik and Nilgiri classes are being built, but dependence on Russian engines and sensors creates vulnerability during supply disruptions.

 

 

Corvettes and Smaller Vessels

 

 

Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvettes of the Kamorta class are entering service, and more shallow-water ASW ships are being built under the “Make in India” initiative. These smaller ships are vital for coastal security and anti-submarine patrols.

 

 

Naval Aviation and Air Defence

 

 

The Navy urgently needs more multi-role helicopters for ASW tasks. It operates eight American P-8I Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft and plans to add more. New Sikorsky S-70B Seahawks and Kamov 226T helicopters will replace ageing Sea Kings and Chetaks. For air defence, the Indian-Israeli Barak-8 missile system has been successfully integrated on modern destroyers and will equip future ships.

 

The Indian Air Force: Balancing Numbers and Technology

 

 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is undergoing a difficult transition. It faces a rapidly changing threat environment, shrinking squadron strength, and heavy dependence on foreign suppliers. Against an authorised strength of 42 fighter squadrons, the IAF currently fields only 31, and many aircraft are nearing retirement.

 

 

Combat Aircraft

 

 

The backbone of the IAF is the Sukhoi-30MKI, a heavy, twin-engine fighter built in India under Russian licence. The Rafale jets from France form the modern medium-weight fleet, while the indigenous Tejas light fighter is entering service slowly. The IAF will need around 450 new aircraft over the next 10–15 years to maintain adequate strength — a massive challenge in funding and production.

Older fleets like the MiG-29, Jaguar, and Mirage-2000 are due for retirement or upgrade. Indigenous projects such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) represent the future but are still in development.

 

 

Helicopters and Transport Fleet

 

 

New Chinook heavy-lift and Apache attack helicopters have been inducted from the US, while older Mi-35s continue to serve. The IAF also needs about 140 light utility helicopters to replace Cheetahs and Chetaks. Transport aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Hercules have boosted heavy-lift capability, but replacement of older An-32s and Avros remains pending. The C-295 project — partly built in India — will help fill this gap.

 

 

Drones, ISR, and Support Systems

 

 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are becoming essential for reconnaissance and strike missions. Indigenous drone projects are progressing but need acceleration. The IAF also needs more air-to-air refuellers and AWACS surveillance aircraft to enhance its reach and awareness during conflict.

 

Broader Challenges in Capability Building

 

 

Modernising the armed forces is not just about buying new equipment. It requires strategic clarity, efficient management, and consistent funding. India faces several systemic challenges that slow this process.

 

 

Apparent Lack of an Integrated Military Strategy

 

 

India still lacks a clearly articulated national military strategy that binds the three services together. Each service plans largely on its own, sometimes duplicating efforts or missing synergy. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post was created to address this, but joint planning remains a work in progress.

 

 

Funding Constraints

 

 

Modernisation demands sustained investment. Experts say defence spending (excluding pensions) should be at least 2.5% of GDP, but it currently hovers around 1.5–1.7%. Worse, the share of the capital budget — meant for new acquisitions — has dropped sharply, leaving little room for modernisation once salaries and maintenance are paid.

 

 

Manpower Burden

 

 

The Indian Army alone has over 1.3 million personnel, and defence civilians add further pressure on the budget. A large portion of funds goes toward pay and pensions rather than weapons and technology. Without restructuring and rightsizing, there will soon be little money left for modern equipment.

 

 

Weak Indigenous Defence Industry

 

 

The DRDO, Ordnance Factory Board, and public sector units have struggled to deliver quality products on time and within cost. The private sector, though capable, still lacks a level playing field. As a result, India remains heavily dependent on imports — an expensive and strategically risky position.

 

 

Shortage of Specialised Expertise

 

 

Procurement and design functions often rely on generalist officers rather than specialists. The recently created Army Design Bureau aims to bridge this gap by working with industry and the DRDO, but it will take time to build expertise.

 

The Road Ahead

 

 

Despite these constraints, there have been positive steps. Indigenous production is growing: Tejas fighters, Arjun tanks, Akash missiles, and INS Vikrant show that India’s defence industry can deliver complex systems. The government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative has increased focus on self-reliance and private-sector participation.

 

 

However, unless funding priorities shift and bureaucratic procedures are streamlined, modernisation will continue to lag. The Army still depends on 1980s-era systems; the Air Force is stretched thin; and the Navy’s submarine fleet is perilously small. The risk is not immediate defeat, but gradual erosion of deterrence — the very foundation of national security.

 

Conclusion

 

 

India’s military modernisation is not optional; it is essential for survival in a volatile neighbourhood. The challenge is to balance manpower with technology, indigenous development with urgent imports, and long-term strategy with short-term readiness. The three services have demonstrated professionalism and adaptability despite limited resources. What they now need is consistent funding, faster decision-making, and stronger political-military coordination. The sooner these reforms take root, the stronger India’s defence posture will be — ensuring that deterrence remains credible and peace sustainable.

(The writer was Vice Chief of the Indian Army)

 

(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK)​

Defence