Modernize or perish Raksha Anirveda 15 Jan 2025

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Modernize or perish Raksha Anirveda 15 Jan 2025

          Every war provides lessons, some suitable, some not. Added is the growing impact of technology on the battlefield which ensures that nothing can be hidden from the adversary. The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict of 2020 and 2023, the Hamas terrorist strike on Israel of Oct 2023 and Tel Aviv’s subsequent retaliation, the Russo-Ukraine war which commenced in Feb 2022 and finally Operation Sindoor of May last year are conflicts which have given valuable lessons to the Indian armed forces in the manner future wars could emerge.

          What flows 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 reorganization into theatre commands, the army is undergoing modernization and restructuring to be prepared for emerging conflicts in the coming decade.

          There is a general misconception amongst many that Operation Sindoor displayed that future wars would be fought from a distance and would be dominated by drones and air power and hence a large army is a wasteful expenditure. There could be no greater misunderstanding the role and tasks of the armed forces in general and the army in particular.

The armed forces of a nation need to be strong and cohesive not only to fight wars but also to deter the adversary from undertaking any misadventures. Kargil and Galwan happened when the adversary exploited a gap in defences based on accepted norms and prevailing understandings. No longer. India’s adversaries hesitate to engage in an open conflict due to the capabilities, determination and doggedness of the Indian forces. Any gaps or weaknesses will be exploited and must be prevented. For this there is a need be deployed 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 terrorist infrastructure and neutralizing terrorists likely to be sent across to India.’ Nation’s do not seek wars unless they are forced upon them. By ignoring a major terrorist strike, India would have given Pak the belief that it is cowed down by its nuclear rhetoric. This would open doors to more such incidents.  

          Thirdly, the collusion between China and Pakistan, witnessed in Operation Sindoor, including in equipment, surveillance and intelligence, is an indicator that the nation would need to boost its military capabilities to meet the challenge of both adversaries working in unison. Pakistan possesses Chinese military equipment and was the testing ground for Chinese products. 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 growing proximity towards China. This enables China to expand its influence in the region, adding to security concerns. It implies closer monitoring of the security environment and being prepared for eventualities including support to anti-national elements as also ongoing insurgencies.

          In light of 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 as also enhancing the ability of the soldier to fight as also 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 counter fire. They need to be accurate as also possess the ability to destroy the objective before it can react. These are now under induction.

With drones playing a major role in surveillance as also engaging targets well in depth, the army is raising Shaktibaan regiments. These regiments would be armed with a mix of loitering ammunition and swarm drones. The intent would be to coordinate their firepower with artillery so as to achieve maximum effect on the adversary.

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 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 as also involves adding protection. This is also being undertaken.

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 employ drones for surveillance as also targeting.

In a similar manner the army is creating Rudra brigades, which comprise of all 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 modernization is moving towards multi-domain operations enabling the soldier to operate seamlessly in an era of Electronic and Cyber warfare as also 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 need that dependence on foreign equipment can impact preparedness as also hold the country’s foreign policies to ransom, the emphasis of the nation is on ‘make in India.’ The government as also the army are seeking maximum equipment manufactured within the country meet oncoming challenges.       

         Modernization 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. Modernization also requires budgetary support as also close coordination between the armed forces, industry and academia, implying civil-military fusion. It is civil-military fusion where we are lacking. Added is funding for R and D. The greater the investment, the 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. 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 employs.