Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday raised concerns over India’s sluggish defence procurement procedures and their impact on the military’s ability to absorb new technologies. His remarks come as the government is working to streamline acquisition timelines and simplify the weapon-buying process to strengthen the armed forces.
“Our procurement procedures are so slow that it becomes difficult for the armed forces to imbibe technology at the desired pace,” Chauhan said during a session at the Raisina Dialogue 2025. Under India’s existing weapon-buying rules, acquiring military hardware can take years, potentially hindering operational readiness.
His comments align with the Defence Ministry’s recent announcement of 2025 as the “Year of Reforms,” with nine key areas identified for focused intervention. These include simplifying procurement procedures and establishing integrated theatre commands to optimize the military’s resources for future warfare.
The reform push underscores a decisive shift towards a more agile, technologically advanced, and combat-ready military. “India needs to induct technology at a faster rate. We cannot afford a widening technological gap with our adversaries,” Chauhan emphasized.
At the same time, he cautioned that technology alone cannot replace soldiers on the battlefield. “Technology is an enabler, but there is no substitute for trained soldiers on the ground,” he said, highlighting the evolving nature of warfare.
He stressed that while technology is reshaping battlefields, the biggest challenge lies in preparing forces for conventional and hybrid warfare. He cited disinformation as a critical threat, particularly in a diverse country like India, where adversaries could exploit social fault lines. “Absorbing technology and training personnel to use it effectively remain key challenges,” he added.
Team BharatShakti
