Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday, released the Indian Army's Land Warfare Doctrine, which outlines a roadmap to prepare the force for future conflicts involving drones, artificial intelligence, precision weapons and multi-domain warfare.
The doctrine, released during the Army Commanders' Conference in New Delhi, provides an overarching framework for transforming the Indian Army into a technology-enabled, adaptable force capable of responding to the changing nature of warfare, according to a defence ministry release.
A major focus of the doctrine is the integration of emerging technologies into military operations, alongside greater coordination among the armed forces and the continued importance of ground troops in achieving military objectives.
“The revised doctrine outlined a roadmap for preparing the force for future conflicts characterised by advanced technology, drones, artificial intelligence, precision warfare and multi-domain operations,” sources told the Times of India.
The doctrine lays out the Army's approach to preparing for conflicts in which conventional ground operations will increasingly be influenced by advanced technology and threats across multiple domains.
Sources have been quoted as saying that the document is aligned with Defence Forces Vision 2047 and places particular emphasis on jointness among the armed forces, including integrating capabilities across different domains to ensure better coordination during military operations.
“Aligned with Defence Forces Vision 2047, the doctrine emphasises jointness among the armed forces, integration of capabilities across multiple domains and the continued centrality of land power in achieving decisive military and political outcomes,” sources said.
The doctrine also highlights the importance of preparing soldiers to operate in technologically contested battlefield environments.
According to media reports, empowering soldiers and promoting manned-unmanned teaming are among its key priorities.
The doctrine also emphasises human leadership, resilient logistics and the ability to maintain operational effectiveness despite technological disruptions.
According to sources quoted in media reports, the revised doctrine reflects the Army's efforts to become more adaptable to changing battlefield conditions.
“The revised doctrine signals the Indian Army’s efforts to transform into a future-ready, technology-enabled and adaptable force, capable of fighting and winning wars across the full spectrum of conflict,” sources were quoted as saying.
Another important aspect is the ability to operate effectively in environments where technology and communication systems may face disruption.
Addressing senior Army commanders at the conference, Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of developing a long-term strategic vision covering the next two to three decades.
He said the Army's leadership must remain prepared to address immediate security challenges while simultaneously anticipating future threats.
The defence minister called for military strategies to remain dynamic and flexible so that they can be adjusted according to changing circumstances.
He also emphasised the need for continuous assessment of military capabilities and improvements based on evolving operational requirements.
Singh urged the Army to accelerate efforts in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data analytics, cybersecurity and secure communication networks.
These technologies, he observed, would play an increasingly important role in preparing the force for future military operations.
Despite the growing importance of air, maritime, space and cyber operations, the defence minister stressed that ground forces would continue to play an indispensable role in warfare.
He said the increasing complexity of modern conflicts required an integrated approach that combined capabilities across different domains. Singh emphasised that military success would depend on seamless coordination during joint operations and the effective integration of multi-domain capabilities.
