In a significant move to bolster India’s defence capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meeting with all Secretaries of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the eve of the New Year. The meeting focused on reviewing ongoing schemes, projects, and reforms while setting the stage for future initiatives. To give renewed momentum to these efforts, the MoD unanimously decided to declare 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms.’ The initiative aims to transform the Indian Armed Forces into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of multi-domain integrated operations, reads the MoD statement.
Key Areas of Focus for 2025
According to an official statement by the MoD, several broad areas have been identified for focused intervention under the ‘Year of Reforms’ initiative:
- Jointness and Integration:
- Enhance jointness and integration across the Armed Forces.
- Facilitate the establishment of Integrated Theatre Commands to ensure seamless coordination and operational efficiency.
- New Domains and Emerging Technologies:
- Prioritise advancements in cyber and space domains.
- Leverage cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Hypersonics, and Robotics.
- Develop associated tactics, techniques, and procedures to prepare for future warfare scenarios.
- Inter-Service Cooperation and Training:
- Foster a shared understanding of operational requirements through joint training and inter-service cooperation.
- Build joint operational capabilities for enhanced synergy.
- Streamlined Acquisition Processes:
- Simplify and expedite acquisition procedures to enable swifter capability development.
- Focus on robust and time-sensitive processes to address critical operational needs.
- Public-Private Collaboration:
- Promote technology transfer and knowledge sharing between the defence sector and civil industries.
- Strengthen public-private partnerships by enhancing the ease of doing business in the defence ecosystem.
- Civil-Military Coordination:
- Break down silos between various stakeholders in the defence ecosystem.
- Enhance civil-military coordination to eliminate inefficiencies and optimise resource utilisation.
- Defence Exports and Global Partnerships:
- Position India as a credible exporter of defence products.
- Foster research and development (R&D) and partnerships between Indian industries and foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate resources and share knowledge.
- Veteran Welfare and Expertise:
- Optimise welfare measures for veterans while leveraging their expertise to strengthen defence capabilities.
- Cultural Pride and Indigenous Capabilities:
- Instil a sense of pride in Indian culture and ideas.
- Foster confidence in achieving global standards through indigenous innovations while adopting best practices from modern militaries that align with India’s unique conditions.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed confidence that the ‘Year of Reforms’ will mark a transformative chapter in the modernisation journey of the Indian Armed Forces. “This initiative will lay the foundation for unprecedented advancements in our defence preparedness, ensuring the security and sovereignty of the nation amidst the challenges of the 21st century,” he stated.
The MoD’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ underscores its commitment to strengthening India’s defence ecosystem and positioning the nation as a global leader in defence innovation and capabilities.
Team BharatShakti
