For defense enthusiasts, the New Year has commenced on a positive note, with the Ministry of Defence indicating that 2025 will be a year dedicated to deepening reforms. This announcement is significant for several reasons: it highlights the government’s commitment to enhancing national security, sets expectations for comprehensive changes, and outlines a clear direction for future initiatives.
The announcement of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Defence Management Agency (DMA) in January 2020 marked the start of a major overhaul of India’s national security framework—arguably the most ambitious since independence. The empowered CDS was tasked with driving transformative changes within the national security apparatus. The concept of Aatmanirbharta in Defence (AID) goes beyond mere self-reliance; it aims to revitalize a stagnant military-industrial complex by addressing issues such as monopoly suppliers, lack of competition, limited choices, and excessive regulation.
Additionally, recent strategic developments, such as those seen in Balakot and Kailash, have shifted defense considerations into a more prominent role within foreign policy discussions.
Declaring 2025 as the Year of Defence Reforms signals a strong political intent to broaden, deepen, and accelerate these reforms to complete the national security transformation.
These reforms must be comprehensive and focused on effecting real change—emphasizing innovation, empowerment, and operational effectiveness rather than merely addressing issues of status and rank.
Initial indicators appear promising. At the recent 21st Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee Symposium in New Delhi, there was an open acknowledgment from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding the need to disrupt outdated practices and establish a new strategic-military framework. The Defence Secretary publicly recognized that procurement procedures are flawed and require urgent reform. The Chief of Air
Staff noted that while the Air Force is committed to AID, delays in acquiring indigenous platforms are undermining deterrent capabilities. The Chairman of DRDO called for international collaboration to develop sixth-generation platforms and advocated for increased research and development funding.
Political leadership has set a bold tone for this national security transformation. The responsibility for implementing these reforms now rests with the senior leadership across civil-military-technological-financial-administrative sectors. Engagement, wisdom, collaboration (rather than mere committee work), and consensus-building will be essential. The CDS, Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary, Chairman of DRDO, and Financial Advisor Defence Services (FADS) are all experienced leaders who must demonstrate the statesmanship required by today’s challenging strategic environment to deliver the necessary transformation. It is crucial that the Ministry of Defence takes charge and leads this change effectively.
The overarching objectives of these reforms should focus on national interest and combat readiness—ensuring that our sailors, soldiers, and airmen are equipped with the technologies and capabilities they need to succeed.
To provide clarity on our goals, here are five key areas to prioritise:
Jointness: Complete the unfinished tasks related to joint operations by fully implementing Theatre Commands with empowered commanders capable of addressing broader strategic challenges.
Strategic Deterrence: Re-establish deterrence across four critical domains: stealth-enabled offensive air power, a nationwide air defense topology, an integrated drone-missile force, and a maritime surge capacity.
Aatmanirbharta in Defence: Building on initial successes in self-reliance, we must support startups with consistent orders while transforming the procurement process to encourage innovation and risk-taking.
Embracing Emerging Technologies: Prioritize artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies to enhance military autonomy at reduced costs—an area where we are currently under-invested.
Cohesion in National Security: Address inconsistencies in our national security approach while avoiding overreach.
We stand at a historic juncture where we can align our economic growth with robust strategic advancements. The year 2025 could represent a pivotal moment for our national security aspirations akin to what 1991 was for our economic resurgence.
We must not miss this opportunity.
Lieutenant General Raj Shukla, PVSM,YSM, SM, ADC had been the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army Training Command. He is a renowned scholar having written numerous papers on Strategic affairs. He is currently, a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
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