06-January-2025-Editorial

DEFENCE MINISTRY DECLARES 2025 AS ‘YEAR OF REFORMS

The Ministry of Defence has declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ to modernize India’s Armed Forces into a technologically advanced and combat-ready entity capable of multi-domain operations.

Meanwhile, 2024 is being observed by the Indian Army as the Year of Technology Absorption, focusing on integrating advanced technologies into military operations.

Key Focus Areas for ‘Year of Reforms’ in 2025

Jointness and Integration

• Strengthen coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Advance the establishment of Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs) for seamless operational cooperation.
• ITCs will focus on specific threats:

• Northern Command in Lucknow (China focus).
• Western Command in Jaipur (Pakistan focus).
• Maritime Command in Thiruvananthapuram (maritime security).

Emerging Technologies

• Embrace technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Hypersonics, and Robotics.
• Develop operational strategies for cyber and space warfare.
• Encourage public-private partnerships and ease technology transfer between the defense and civilian sectors.

Simplified Acquisition Process

• Streamline and fast-track defense procurement procedures to strengthen military capability.
• Ensure time-bound approvals to improve efficiency in acquiring modern equipment.

Promoting Defence Exports

• Position India as a credible exporter of defense equipment by fostering research, innovation, and international collaborations.
• India’s defense exports have risen from ₹2,000 crore in 2014 to over ₹21,000 crore in 2023.

Welfare of Veterans and Indigenous Culture

• Ensure the well-being of veterans and leverage their expertise in military planning.
• Promote indigenous capabilities and cultural pride, while adopting global best practices.

Current Status of India’s Defence Forces

Transition from Importer to Exporter

• India’s defense exports reached ₹210.83 billion in 2023-24, with a target of ₹500 billion by 2028-29.

Defence Acquisition Reforms

• The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) prioritizes domestic manufacturing, with indigenous content requirements of 50% or more for key systems.

Growth of Defence Industry

• India’s defense production turnover increased from ₹740.54 billion in 2016-17 to ₹1,086.84 billion in 2022-23.
• The private sector contributed 20% of defense production in 2022-23.
• The TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara is India’s first private sector facility assembling military aircraft.

Involvement of MSMEs and Startups

• By 2023, 14,000 MSMEs and 329 startups were actively engaged in the defense sector.

Why Defence Reforms are Necessary

• Lack of National Security Strategy (NSS): India lacks a unified strategy to align political goals with military operations, weakening preparedness for emerging threats from China and Pakistan.
• Rise of Cyber Warfare: Cyberattacks, the fifth domain of warfare, are increasingly used to sabotage economies and military assets, as seen in Ukraine-Russia conflicts.
• Dependence on Imports: Despite growth in exports, India remains the world’s largest arms importer, accounting for 11% of global imports (2019-2023).
• Resistance to Integration: The military’s branch-specific approach creates challenges in adopting joint operations, delaying the formation of Integrated Theatre Commands.
• Funding Constraints: Despite higher allocations, defense spending is only 1.9% of GDP, limiting modernization efforts in technology and infrastructure.
• Emergency Procurement Highlighting Gaps: Emergency purchases post-Galwan clash (2020) exposed the need for long-term strategic readiness rather than reactive policies.
• Shortcomings in Personnel Training: The Agnipath scheme faces criticism for its short training period and potential impact on combat readiness and morale.

Government Initiatives for Defence Reforms

• Defence Industrial Corridors: Two corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh to boost manufacturing and innovation.
• Corporatization of Ordnance Factories: Modernized and restructured the Ordnance Factory Board into independent entities.
• Defence India Startup Challenge: Supports startups in developing innovative defense technologies.
• SRIJAN Portal: Promotes indigenization by listing defense items for local production.
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): Facilitates R&D by startups and MSMEs.
• Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti: Focuses on intellectual property rights (IPR) to promote indigenous innovation.

Lessons from Goldwater-Nichols Reforms in the USA

Background: Enacted in 1986 to improve US military efficiency after operational failures in Vietnam and Iran.

Key Provisions:

• Unified command structure.
• Clearer roles for combatant commanders.
• Improved military advice to leadership.
• Focused resource allocation and joint officer training.

Way Forward

Institutional Reforms

• Enhance the role of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to streamline decision-making and bridge civilian-military gaps.

Technology Integration

• Focus on AI, drones, and cyber warfare capabilities to counter threats from China and Pakistan.
• Expand drone use for intelligence, surveillance, and precision strikes.

Strengthen Domestic Defence Industry

• Foster public-private partnerships and foreign collaborations to boost indigenous manufacturing.
• Prioritize R&D and technologies offering strategic advantages.

Enhance Global Defence Cooperation

• Expand partnerships like India-US iCET to improve strategic autonomy and technological edge.

Establish National Defence University (NDU)

• Set up an advanced institution for training and research in defense strategies, ensuring a cadre of skilled military planners.

Conclusion

India’s defense reforms are critical to modernizing its Armed Forces and addressing emerging threats. By integrating advanced technologies, fostering joint operations, and strengthening domestic capabilities, India can transform its military into a globally competitive and self-reliant force.