Lasers, nuclear-powered warships and more… What India’s Armed Forces will look like in next 15 years

It’s a perilous time in the world. At the moment, there are two wars being fought across the globe — the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel war against Hamas in Gaza. Just months ago, India also was on the brink of a war with Pakistan after it launched Operation Sindoor as a result of the Pahalgam terror attack in April.

Amid such situations, it is pertinent that India has a strong military, armed with the best weapons, to fend off its enemies and be battle ready.

And for this purpose, the Ministry of Defence has spelt out its acquisition plans for the next 15 years in what they call ‘The Technology Vision and Capability Roadmap’. It is a roadmap that lists out the requirements and quantities required by the armed forces over the next 15 years.

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So, what’s in the plan? What will India’s Army, Navy and Air Force look like over the next 15 years?

Tanks, loitering weapons and more for Indian Army

As per ‘The Technology Vision and Capability Roadmap’, the Indian Army is looking at some massive acquisitions in order to be battle ready.

The Indian Army is looking at acquiring a total of 1,800 tanks, which shall be deployed along the northern and western borders of India to replace the existing T-72 fleet. Moreover, the Indian Army will also acquire 300-400 light tanks, which can address threats in varied terrains and domains.

As per the 15-year plan, the Indian Army will induct 50,000 tank-mounted anti-tank guided missiles, and over 700 robotic counter-IED systems. In addition, the Army will purchase 600,000 artillery rounds as well as multiple unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

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The plan signals a strong shift towards networked and automated ground capabilities capable of precision strikes and rapid manoeuvre.

Boosting defences on the high seas

As per the 15-year plan, the Navy is looking to induct one more aircraft carrier. India has already deployed INS Vikrant, its first indigenous aircraft carrier, in 2022. The Navy is also looking at 10 next-generation frigates, seven advanced corvettes, and four landing dock platforms.

The Navy will also require two Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems to give the carrier the capability of operating heavier aircraft. In addition, nuclear propulsion for warships has been greenlit.

The Navy has called for the induction of 100 Next Generation Fast Interceptor Craft that are capable to carry out interception of high-speed craft and seaward anti-terrorist patrols. As per the 15-year plan, the Indian Navy will also acquire 150 torpedoes having a range of more than 25 kilometres and should be able to operate up to depths of 450 metres. The roadmap has also called for lithium ion batteries for submarines.

Securing the skies

The blueprint released by the Ministry of Defence also outlines 75 high-altitude pseudo satellites for the Air Force as well as 150 stealth bomber drones, hundreds of precision-guided munitions, and over 100 remotely piloted aircraft.

Other notable military acquisitions

The vision document also places strong focus on developing cyber defence systems for satellites, cyber hardening of satellite communication links and satellite-based laser range finders. Realising the potential of hypersonic weapons, the Indian Armed Forces will acquire not less than 500 hypersonic missiles for high-speed strikes. It also needs detection systems for incoming hypersonic weapons.

The Indian Armed Forces has also called for high-power laser systems as well as the development of directed energy weapons. For those who are unaware, directed energy weapons are advanced weapons that use focused energy, such as high-energy lasers or high-power microwaves, to disable or destroy targets without using traditional projectiles.

The need for such weapons has grown in recent times; China, in its recently concluded military parade displayed two versions of ship-based directed energy laser weapons at the parade. While one of them was clearly designed for naval air defence, the other one, mounted on a truck, was meant to protect ground troops.

Why this vision plan matters

The 15-year vision plan comes at an interesting time; it comes just four months after Operation Sindoor was launched after 26 civilians were killed in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed terrorists on April 22.

Following India’s precise military strikes targeting terror installations within Pakistan, Islamabad launched thousands of drones and rockets targeting civilian areas in India’s western sector. However, most of the Pakistani drones and missiles were neutralised by Indian air defence.

The vision plan also highlights the importance that technology plays in modern warfare. The Defence Ministry noted, “Rapid advances and convergence in fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and information technology will continue to have a revolutionary impact on the battlefield of the future.

“As the nation stands on the threshold of embracing greater challenges and responsibilities in the coming decades, it is imperative that the Services be equipped accordingly.”

In its statement, the Defence Ministry added that the roadmap seeks to reach out to the Industry and convey the services’ perspective on emerging futuristic combat technologies and their stated requirements in enhancing warfighting capabilities. This will enable our private industry to step up R&D efforts, build production lines & assemblies to meet the requirements in a desired timeframe.

With inputs from agencies