Indian Defence Modernization : Post May 25 War with Pakistan

Context

The May 25 War marked a pivotal moment for India’s defense strategy, exposing critical gaps and accelerating the need for comprehensive modernization. In its aftermath, India has embarked on an ambitious overhaul of its military capabilities, prioritizing next-generation technologies and a shift in weapon system production methodology. This article examines India’s post-war defense modernization efforts, outlining key initiatives and challenges.

‘Atmanirbhar Defence 2.0’ Program

Following the lessons from recent conflicts and vulnerabilities exposed during the May 2025 India-Pakistan war, the Indian government has launched ‘Atmanirbhar Defence 2.0’, an upgraded version of its flagship self-reliance initiative in defense production. With a budget allocation of ₹21,000 crore (approx. $2.5 billion), the program aims to accelerate indigenous weapons development, reduce foreign dependency, and position India as a global defense manufacturing hub. Key Objectives of Atmanirbhar Defence 2.0 are Indigenous Weapons Development and fast-tracking projects like:

• Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) – 5th-gen stealth fighter.

• Tejas Mk-2 – More powerful engine (GE F414) and AESA radar.

• Zorawar Light Tank – Designed for high-altitude warfare.

• Expanding production of Astra Mk-II & Mk-III air-to-air missiles.

• Greater involvement of Indian firms (Tata, L&T, Mahindra) in defense contracts.

• Incentives for startups in drone, AI, and cyber warfare tech.

• Foreign Tech Transfer & Joint Ventures like GE-HAL jet engine deal (local production of F414 engines), Rafale-Tejas hybrid project (Dassault & DRDO collaboration) and Russian-Indian BrahMos-NG (lighter, hypersonic-capable variant).

Fighter Jet Upgrades and New Acquisitions

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has fast-tracked the induction of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), with the Rafale-M and F-15EX emerging as frontrunners. Additionally, the Tejas Mk-2 program has received an extra ₹9,000 crore to expedite development, with the first prototype expected by late 2026. Meanwhile, need for a critical upgrade of the Su-30MKI fleet has been recognized. This upgrade includes new AESA radars, Israeli-made electronic warfare suites, and integration of the ASTRA Mk-II BVR missile to enhance long-range engagement capabilities.

Air Defence Systems

The 2025 conflict highlighted vulnerabilities in India’s air defense. In June 2025, India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of additional indigenous Akash-NG (Next Generation) missile systems, valued at ₹20,000 crore. These systems, developed by DRDO, offer improved range and precision against low-observable targets like drones. Additionally, India fast-tracked the integration of AI-based targeting algorithms into its Akashteer command-and-control system, enhancing real-time threat detection and response. This upgrade, initiated in July 2025, aims to create a layered defense network capable of countering multidomain threats, including cyber and electronic warfare.

Drone Warfare and Counter-Drone Systems

The extensive use of drones by both sides during the conflict revealed the need for India to bolster its unmanned systems and prompting India to prioritize its Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior program. In August 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced plans to accelerate the production of the CATS Warrior, a low-observable unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for autonomous reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes. The program, which saw its first successful engine ground run in November 2024, received an additional ₹5,000 crore in funding post-conflict to expedite deployment by 2027. India also initiated talks with Israel in June 2025 for co-development of advanced loitering munitions, building on the success of Israeli-made Harop drones. Other notable Defence Ministry deals are:

• Predator-B (MQ-9B) SeaGuardian drones (16 units, to be assembled in India under a joint Tata-General Atomics venture).

• Indigenous ‘Tapas’ and ‘Ghatak’ UCAVs, with increased funding for stealth enhancements.

• Russian ‘Lancet’-style loitering munitions for precision strikes.

• Additionally, DRDO’s ‘Indraja’ counter-drone system**, capable of jamming and kinetic kill, has been deployed along the western border.

Missile Modernization, Hypersonic Push & Precision Strikes

India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles proved quite effective during Operation Sindoor. Post-conflict, India signed a ₹10,000 crore deal in July 2025 with BrahMos Aerospace to develop an extended-range variant, BrahMos-ER, capable of striking targets up to 800 km away. Additionally, India initiated a joint project with France in June 2025 to integrate SCALP cruise missiles with its Rafale jets, enhancing deep-strike capabilities against fortified targets. In order to address post-war assessments gaps in India’s missile defence and deep-strike capabilities, following key developments are also taking place:-

• Accelerated testing of the ‘Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)’, with plans for a deployable missile by 2027.

• BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), a lighter, faster variant for IAF fighters, with exports to some other Asian nations also under discussion.

• QR-SAM (Quick Reaction SAM) deployment along forward bases to counter cruise missile threats.

Naval Expansion and Underwater Systems

The Navy has prioritized anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Key moves include:

• Procurement of 6 more Scorpène-class submarines (Project-75I), with AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion) technology.

• Collaboration with France for SSN (Nuclear Attack Submarine) technology, including reactor designs.

• Indigenous UAVs for maritime surveillance, including the ‘Sea Guardian’ and ‘Drishti’ naval drones.

Army’s Focus on Artillery and Armored Mobility

The Army has signed deals for:

• 200 more K9 Vajra-T SPHs (self-propelled howitzers) with enhanced mobility for desert warfare.

• Emergency procurement of Israeli ‘PULS’ rocket systems for deep strikes, supplementing Pinaka regiments.

• T-90MS and Arjun Mk-1A upgrades, including APS (Active Protection Systems) to counter anti-tank missiles.

Strategic Partnerships with US and Others

The conflict underscored the need for stronger international partnerships. In July 2025, India and the U.S. signed a new defense framework agreement, focusing on joint production of advanced systems like the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile and Stryker 8x8 armored vehicles. This agreement, finalized during a meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, emphasizes technology transfers in AI, cyber defense, and space operations. India also joined the U.S.-led INDUS-X initiative in August 2025 to co-develop next-generation defense technologies, including hypersonic weapons and advanced sensors, to address regional threats from Pakistan and China. Other international partnerships that have been fast tracked include:-

• France (jet engine tech transfer for AMCA).

• Israel (co-development of laser-based Iron Beam systems).

• USA (GE’s F414 engine deal for Tejas Mk-2).

• Simultaneously, the government has allocated ₹21,000 crore to boost private sector defence manufacturing under the ‘Atmanirbhar Defence 2.0’ scheme.

Conclusion

The 2025 conflict has acted as a catalyst for India’s military modernization, with an emphasis on indigenous production, joint ventures, and rapid induction of cutting-edge tech. Many challenges remain in timely execution of projects under initiatives like "make-in-india, and therefore, a strategic shift is clear. India is fast tracking partnerships with international partners notably US, Israel and France to bridge the identified gaps quickly. India seems to be preparing for a future war with emphasis on precision strikes, unmanned systems, stand-off ranges and robust air defence.