Paper: GS – III, Subject: Internal Security, Topic: Security forces and their mandate, Issue: Reforms needed in the armed forces.
Context:
Paradigm shifts are happening in global warfare through AI, automation, drones, precision weapons and as India faces challenges of a two-front threat, there is a need for reforms in structural reforms in armed forces.
Key Highlights:
Reform push needed:
From ‘Coordination’ to ‘Command’: Govt is pushing transition from service-specific to integrated theatre commands. For instance, the Emphasis at Combined Commanders Conference (2025) is on structural, administrative & operational reforms aiming to ensure true jointness for modern battlefields.
Doctrinal and Technological Evolution:
- Joint Doctrine of Indian Armed Forces (2017) stresses of jointness of operations.
- Army’s Land Warfare Doctrine (2018) pushes for Hybrid warfare readiness. As future wars are multi-domain (land, sea, air, cyber, space, information), the focus is on preparing “hybrid warriors” who combine scholar, tech, and warfighting roles.
Procurement & Integration:
- Recent acquisitions align with the objective of jointness such as:
- MQ-9B drones: Persistent intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR).
- Rafale-M fighters: Strengthen carrier aviation.
- Akhaster AI-based command system: Integrated control for Army, Air Force, Navy.
- Pralay missile system: Quasi-ballistic missile.
- Rudra & Bhairav formations: Quick response, theatre-specific battle groups.
Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations: There is a push for Integration of maritime, air, and land forces. Even the recent Operation Sindoor (aerial) showed strength but didn’t test joint mobilisation fully.
Creating a Modern Force:
- Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs):
- All-arms brigades capable of rapid deployment (12–48 hrs).
- Combine infantry, artillery, engineers, loitering munitions.
- Navy: Carrier-centric maritime posture.
- Air Force: Strengthening near-term strike capabilities.
Institutional Reforms:
- Professional Military Education (PME): To prepare techno-warriors.
- Civil-Military Fusion especially of DRDO + private industry + universities to boost AI, rapid prototyping, and tech management.
Conclusion:
Reforms aid armed forces in handling China’s integrated theatre commands and helps counter Pakistan’s hybrid and asymmetric warfare. It builds long-term deterrence and rapid-response capability and enhances India’s role in Indo-Pacific security architecture.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
