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A Parliamentary panel has urged the government to ensure strict delivery timelines for defence procurement projects, warning that prolonged acquisition cycles risk rendering critical military equipment obsolete amid rapidly evolving technology and a shifting global security environment.
In a report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence stressed that delays in the procurement process undermine the armed forces’ operational preparedness and weaken the country’s deterrence capability.
“The Committee is of the opinion that as technology is changing very fast and the geopolitical scenario is also evolving, any procurement and acquisition procedure in the defence sector must have a timeline for delivery,” the panel said in its report titled ‘Demands for Grants (2026–27) on Capital Outlay on Defence Services, Defence Planning, Procurement Policy and Defence Pensions’.
“Any inordinate and long delay in procurement can result in technology and equipment becoming obsolete and redundant,” it added.
Call for Higher Capital Allocation
The committee also recommended increased budgetary allocation for defence capital expenditure to sustain the modernisation of the armed forces.
According to the panel, modernisation of the military is primarily funded through the capital segment of the defence budget, which supports the acquisition of advanced platforms, weapon systems and technologies.
“Modernisation involves the acquisition of new state-of-the-art platforms, technologies and weapon systems to upgrade and augment defence capabilities,” the report noted. “It is a continuous process based on threat perception, operational challenges and technological changes to keep the armed forces ready to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges.”
Given the prevailing geopolitical environment, the panel said the government must ensure that the armed forces have the financial backing required to sustain credible deterrence at all times.
Joint Planning Through Integrated Defence Staff
The committee acknowledged the military establishment’s efforts to streamline defence planning. It noted that the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff has been designated as a single-point body to coordinate capability planning for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
“The Committee has been informed that keeping in mind the diverse needs of all three services, HQ IDS has been made the single-point contact to ensure joint planning,” the report said.
It also welcomed the development of the Integrated Capability Development System (ICDS), which enables long-term defence planning through an interactive and integrated process across the services.
However, the panel stressed that coordinated planning must be matched by timely execution.
“Time-bound and determined efforts must be made by all stakeholders involved in the procurement process — including the ministry, defence public sector undertakings, the armed forces and the private sector — as timely procurement and delivery is vital for meeting operational requirements and achieving self-reliance in defence,” the committee said.
Push for Sixth-Generation Fighter Planning
The committee also flagged the need for future-ready air power, urging the government to begin planning for sixth-generation combat aircraft in view of global advances in fighter technology.
It said the Standing Committee on Defence had been informed that continuous technical upgrades to combat aircraft were essential to maintain combat capability in an increasingly air-centric battlefield.
“In view of the rapid technical advancement of fighter aircraft globally and the evolving security scenario, the Committee recommends that the Ministry chalk out a trajectory and step forward the planning process for development and acquisition of Sixth-Generation aircraft,” the report said.
Such a programme, the panel observed, would significantly enhance India’s air domain capabilities in future conflicts.
Focus on Hybrid Warfare and Emerging Technologies
The report also emphasised the need for preparedness for hybrid warfare, combining kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities, as a key requirement in modern conflicts.
It urged the defence establishment to explore emerging technologies and new operational concepts to strengthen India’s war-fighting capabilities in future scenarios.
The committee highlighted that national technology initiatives such as the National Quantum Mission and advances in high-performance computing and artificial intelligence could help build robust digital infrastructure for the armed forces.
While welcoming these initiatives, the panel reiterated that technological programmes must adhere to clear timelines.
“All the initiatives and programmes must follow laid-down timelines for technological delivery so that the forces can use and adapt themselves in a timely manner,” the report said.
Team Bharatshakti
