Indias military upgrade to counter regional threats gathers pace
India’s defence modernisation is on track even as it faces the challenges of ensuring that weapon systems are deployed quickly and boosting its military’s capabilities to counter external threats, according to analysts. Last year, the Indian government approved three major defence packages totalling US$30 billion out of the country’s total defence budget of US$78.7 billion…
Last year, the Indian government approved three major defence packages totalling US$30 billion out of the country’s total defence budget of US$78.7 billion for the current financial year, which was ratified by parliament in February. The three packages were cleared in the second half of last year after India’s war with Pakistan in May.
Among the weapon systems to be procured in the packages are advanced airborne early warning and control systems, Pinaka multiple launch rocket system, integrated drone detection and interdiction system Mark-2, and medium-altitude long-endurance drones for the air force, navy and army. The packages also cover the maintenance of India’s C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft and S-400 long-range air defence missile system.
Gaurav Kumar, a researcher at the United Service Institution of India, a defence think tank, said 2025 was the year when India aimed to plug the gaps in its defence and focus more on battle-proven weapon systems.
“The priorities were not exotic, but they were the essentials of today’s battlefield. New Delhi had marked 2025 as the ‘year of reforms’, as it targets the bottlenecks in the system.”
The acquisition process is also a key part of India’s military reforms, with emphasis on tighter procurement rules and simplified routine purchases, according to Kumar.
