The Defence Ministry has declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’, a transformative initiative aimed at modernising the armed forces and ensuring enhanced preparedness to address 21st-century security challenges.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, announcing the decision after a high-level meeting on Wednesday, said, “‘Year of Reforms’ will be a momentous step in the modernisation journey of the armed forces. It will lay the foundation for unprecedented advancements in the country's defence preparedness, thus preparing to ensure the security and sovereignty of the nation amidst the challenges of the 21st century.”
The ministry outlined its focus areas for the year, emphasising the establishment of integrated theatre commands to enhance jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Such commands are expected to streamline operations, improve interoperability, and significantly boost defence capabilities.
“This initiative is a critical step towards ensuring that the armed forces evolve into a technologically-advanced combat-ready force capable of multi-domain integrated operations,” a ministry statement said.
Focus on emerging technologies
The reforms will delve into new domains like cyber and space warfare while also leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, hypersonic systems, and robotics.
The initiative seeks to position India at the forefront of military innovation.
Integrated theatre commands have long been a subject of discussion within defence circles, with proponents arguing that such structures are essential for swift and coordinated responses to contemporary security challenges. The ‘Year of Reforms’ is expected to expedite this integration process.
This announcement follows a series of defence modernisation efforts undertaken by the Ministry in recent years, including enhancing indigenisation, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and streamlining logistics and procurement systems.
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