India’s Ministry of Defence declares 2025 ‘Year of Reforms’ to modernise Armed Forces

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms,’ signaling a bold new chapter in the modernisation of India’s Armed Forces.

The initiative aims to transform the military into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force equipped to dominate across multiple domains, including cyber, space, and artificial intelligence.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, chairing a high-level meeting with MoD Secretaries on New Year’s Eve, outlined a vision for reforms that promise to revolutionise the nation’s defence ecosystem. “This landmark initiative will lay the foundation for unprecedented advancements in defence preparedness, ensuring the security and sovereignty of our nation,” he asserted.

Enhanced Jointness & Integration: Fast-tracking the creation of Integrated Theatre Commands to foster inter-service synergy and operational efficiency.

Mastering emerging domains: Prioritising new arenas like Cyber and Space, alongside cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, Hypersonics, and Robotics.

Simplified & swift procedures: Streamlining processes for rapid capability development to keep pace with evolving global threats.

Collaborative defence ecosystem: Breaking silos with stronger civil-military coordination and fostering partnerships between Indian industries and global OEMs to position India as a global defence exporter.

The reforms aim to redefine tactics, techniques, and procedures for modern warfare, emphasising training, resource optimization, and operational readiness. The focus on innovation and integration is expected to establish India as a powerhouse in defence manufacturing and technology.

The ‘Year of Reforms’ is set to be a defining moment in India’s quest to modernise its Armed Forces, paving the way for an unmatched defence force capable of tackling 21st-century challenges.