Every war provides lessons, some suitable, some not. Added to that is the growing impact of technology on the battlefield which ensures that nothing can be hidden from the adversary. The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in 2020 and 2023, the Hamas terrorist strike on Israel in October 2023 and Tel Aviv’s subsequent retaliation, the Russo-Ukraine war which commenced in February 2022 and finally Operation Sindoor of May 2025, are conflicts which have given valuable lessons to the Indian armed forces in the manner future wars could emerge.
What follows from assessing these conflicts is that artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, precision-guided munitions and space-based assets are the future. Armed forces are compelled to reconsider their operational doctrines and capability development to include these aspects.
Technology is now a decisive enabler across strategic, operational, and tactical levels, demanding constant adaptation and innovation. While the armed forces gear up for future conflict by integration, jointness and reorganisation into theatre commands, the army is undergoing modernisation and restructuring to be prepared for emerging conflicts in the coming decade.
There is a general misconception amongst many that Operation Sindoor displayed how future wars could be fought from a distance and could be dominated by drones and air power and hence, a large army is a wasteful expenditure. There could be no greater misunderstanding about the role and tasks of the armed forces in general and the army in particular.
Assessing these conflicts shows that artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, precision-guided munitions and space-based assets are the future. Armed forces are compelled to reconsider their operational doctrines and capability development to include these aspects
The armed forces of a nation need to be strong and cohesive not only to fight wars, but also to deter the adversary from making any mischief. Kargil and Galwan happened when the adversary exploited a gap in defences based on accepted norms and prevailing understandings. No longer. India’s adversaries now hesitate to engage in an open conflict due to the capabilities, determination, and doggedness of the Indian forces. Thus, any gaps or weaknesses could be exploited and must be prevented. For this there is a need to deploy the army in defensive positions along the borders, ensuring national security and integrity.
Secondly, Operation Sindoor was not a full-fledged war, as many believe, but an engagement aimed at conveying a strong message. As the government mentioned in parliament, ‘It (Operation Sindoor) focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and neutralising terrorists likely to be sent across to India.’ Nations do not seek wars unless it is forced upon them. By ignoring a major terrorist strike, India would have given Pakistan the belief that India is cowed down by its nuclear rhetoric. This would have opened doors to more such incidents.
Thirdly, the collusion between China and Pakistan, witnessed during Operation Sindoor, in equipment, surveillance and intelligence, is an indicator that India needs to boost its military capabilities to meet any future challenge of both adversaries working in unison. Pakistan possesses Chinese military equipment and was the testing ground for Chinese products. Also, the Pahalgam attack would never have occurred without Chinese approval.
Fourthly, the Indian subcontinent is becoming hostile. India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy appears to be facing roadblocks. While this is not of immediate concern, hostilities towards India are displayed by different countries’ growing proximity towards China. This enables China to expand its influence in the region, adding to the Indian security concerns. It implies closer monitoring of the security environment and being prepared for eventualities including support to anti-national elements besides handling the ongoing insurgencies.
While the armed forces gear up for future conflict by integration, jointness and reorganisation into theatre commands, the army is undergoing modernisation and restructuring to be prepared for emerging conflicts in the coming decade
Considering the above, there is a need to continuously monitor ongoing conflicts, draw lessons, restructure and enhance capabilities based on emerging trends in warfare. It is with this backdrop that the Indian Army has been changing its operational concepts, inducting weapon systems and enhancing the ability of the soldier to fight and survive in the modern battlefield.
What emerges is the need for long distance and accurate engagement by guns, missiles, and rockets. Weapon platforms should be prepared to fire rapidly and change locations prior to them being engaged by any counter fire. They need to be accurate as also possess the ability to destroy the target before it could react. Fortunately, these are now under induction.
With drones playing a major role in surveillance besides engaging targets deep in other countries, the army is raising Shaktibaan regiments. These regiments would be armed with a mix of loitering ammunition and swarm drones. The intent is to coordinate their firepower with artillery so as to achieve maximum effect on the adversary.
There is a need to continuously monitor ongoing conflicts, draw lessons, restructure and enhance capabilities based on emerging trends in warfare. It is with this backdrop that the Indian Army has been changing its operational concepts, inducting weapon systems and enhancing the ability of the soldier to fight and survive in the modern battlefield
Shaktibaan regiments will be part part of artillery brigades. Inputs on targets would flow from multiple networks linked across the battlefield and the commander would need to make a choice on which weapon system would be suitable. Emphasis has now moved from area engagement to precise and targeted engagement, employing a mix of guns, rockets, missiles, and drones.
Armour, which once dominated the battlefield now needs to be able to defend itself from drones and other ammunition capable of locating and engaging them, while carrying out its primary tasks. This necessitates changes in tactics besides adding protection. This is also a work in action.
To fill the gap between Special Forces and the regular infantry the army has begun raising Bhairav battalions. These are small compact units, capable of rapid movement and deployment. They are trained for independent operations, armed suitably, and would be employed closer to the borders, while Special Forces would be employed for strategic objectives. Its soldiers are trained to deploy drones for surveillance as well as targeting the enemy.
In a similar manner the army is creating Rudra brigades, which comprise of sophisticated arms and are capable of rapid deployment. They can be employed for both, defensive and offensive tasks. In addition, a recent input mentioned that the army has created a pool of over one lakh drone operators.
Overall, the emphasis of modernisation is moving towards multi-domain operations enabling the soldier to operate seamlessly in an era of Electronic and Cyber warfare, besides being protected from drone strikes. The infantry soldier is being provided with modern weapons including modern sniper rifles as also fire and forget missiles, apart from drones. The army is rapidly changing its equipment profile as also the manner in which it fights to meet the needs of the future.
Understanding the reality that dependence on foreign equipment can impact preparedness besides holding the country’s foreign policies to ransom, the emphasis of the nation is on ‘Make in India.’ The government as well as the army are seeking maximum equipment manufactured within the country to meet the growing challenges.
With drones playing a major role in surveillance and also engaging targets deep in other countries, the army is raising Shaktibaan regiments. These regiments would be armed with a mix of loitering ammunition and swarm drones. The intent is to coordinate their firepower with artillery so as to achieve maximum effect on the adversary
Modernisation is a continuous process. All armed forces possess a mix of latest, current, and obsolete weapon systems. The aim remains to enhance the latest while reducing the obsolete. Modernisation also requires budgetary support as also close coordination between the armed forces, industry, and academia, implying civil-military fusion. It is civil-military fusion which we lack. Added to that is funding for R&D. Though greater the investment in R&D, better the result.
For a developing nation like India with a large population, there are multiple demands from the budget pie including social, welfare and infrastructure. The government can spare only a limited amount. Thus, choices become difficult. Therefore, it becomes incumbent for the forces to make the best of each penny allocated. What works in the Indian army’s favour is that the soldier is dedicated and unwilling to be cowed down by any adversary, irrespective of the technology he uses.
The writer is a strategic analyst and a motivator. He can be reached at @kakar_harsha. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
