Defence Ministry Declares 2025 as ‘Year of Reforms’; Prioritises Theaterisation and Simplified Procurement

Focus areas include cyber and space domains, emerging technologies like AI, hypersonic systems, and robotics, aimed at modernising India’s armed forces.

The Defence Ministry has designated 2025 as the “Year of Reforms,” outlining a bold vision to modernise India’s armed forces and enhance their combat readiness through integrated operations and technological advancements.

Announcing the initiative, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised that these reforms would lay the groundwork for “unprecedented” progress in defence preparedness, ensuring India’s security and sovereignty in the face of modern challenges. A key focus will be on the implementation of integrated theatre commands, aimed at enhancing synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Under the theaterisation model, separate commands of the three services will be reorganised into joint entities responsible for addressing security challenges within specific geographical regions. The initiative seeks to optimise resource utilisation and enhance operational efficiency by integrating the capabilities of all three services into a cohesive structure.

The decision to observe 2025 as the “Year of Reforms” was finalised during a high-level meeting chaired by Mr. Singh, where the Ministry identified several strategic priorities. These include:

• Simplifying and expediting defence acquisition procedures.
• Strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders in the defence ecosystem.
• Breaking silos and eliminating inefficiencies to optimise resources.
• Developing tactics, techniques, and procedures for future warfare scenarios.

The Ministry also highlighted its focus on emerging domains such as cyber and space, along with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, hypersonic systems, and robotics. “The ‘Year of Reforms’ will mark a significant step in the modernisation journey of the armed forces,” Mr. Singh said.

Efforts will be made to streamline technology transfer and encourage partnerships between the defence sector and civilian industries, promoting public-private collaboration. The reforms also aim to position India as a credible exporter of defence products by fostering research and development and strengthening ties with foreign original equipment manufacturers.

The initiative underscores the importance of jointness and integration in the armed forces, calling for enhanced inter-service training and cooperation to build a shared understanding of operational requirements. Simplifying acquisition procedures and fostering indigenous capabilities to achieve global standards remain key objectives.

The Ministry also stressed the importance of promoting pride in Indian culture and innovation while learning from global best practices suited to India’s conditions. By focusing on collaboration, technological advancement, and integrated operations, the reforms aim to transform India’s armed forces into a cutting-edge, multi-domain combat-ready force.