AI-powered weapons, nuclear warships: Indias 15-year defence boost plan decoded
The Defence Ministry unveiled the comprehensive roadmap that will focus on transforming India's armed forces through next-generation technology, cutting-edge warfare and AI-powered weapons.
New Delhi: Months after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives sent a shockwave across the country, the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prepared a 15-year defence plan aimed at upgrading defence sector. The Defence Ministry unveiled a comprehensive roadmap that will focus on transforming India's armed forces for the coming 15 years, through next-generation technology, cutting-edge warfare and AI-powered weapons.
The roadmap, a copy of which is accessed by TV9, presents a blueprint for capacity building and technological development of the armed forces for the next 15 years. The upgrade plan includes the inclusion of next-generation battle tanks, hypersonic missiles, nuclear-powered warships, AI-powered weapons, stealth bomber drones, and space-based warfare technology in India's defence arsenal.
15-year defence upgrade plan decoded
According to defense experts, this roadmap has been prepared keeping in mind modern technologies like cyber operations, drone systems, artificial intelligence, space warfare and information dominance. The Modi government has given priority to 'Make in India' and self-reliant India in this process. For this, both private and public sectors are being given equal opportunities. Emphasis has also been laid on involving MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) in defence production.
What new to be added to India's defence arsenal
According to the groundbreaking vision document -- Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap --- the Army will induct nearly 1,800 future tanks to replace the T-72 fleet, 400 light tanks for mountain warfare, 50,000 tank-mounted anti-tank guided missiles, and over 700 robotic counter-IED systems.
Under the massive defense boost plan, a new aircraft carrier, 10 next-generation frigates, 7 advanced corvettes, and 4 landing dock platforms will be acquired by Indian Navy while the Air Force will get 75 high-altitude pseudo-satellites, 150 stealth bomber drones, hundreds of precision-guided munitions, and over 100 remotely piloted aircraft.
The Defence Ministry believes that this roadmap will play an important role in achieving both the goals of modernisation and indigenisation and will equip the Indian forces with state-of-the-art technology in the coming decades.