Indian Army in 2025: As 2025 draws to a close, the Indian Army looks forward to a year of decisive operations, rapid capability enhancement and purposeful transformation. From providing cross-border deterrence in the wake of terrorist attacks to accelerating technology absorption, strengthening long-range precision strike capabilities and reshaping battlefield formations for future conflicts, the Army demonstrated both operational resolve and strategic foresight. Along with military diplomacy, doctrinal development and a renewed effort for indigenization and innovation, 2025 outlines the Indian Army’s shift from incremental modernization to mission-driven transformation. The following ten milestones reflect the breadth and depth of the Indian Army’s major achievements during the year – on the battlefield, in capability development, and in shaping the force of the future.
1. Operational Employment and Deterrence: Operation Vermillion
In May 2025, the Indian Army demonstrated decisive operational resolve through Operation Sindoor launched in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack carried out by Pakistan Army supported terrorists. The operation was entirely planned by the military operations branch of the Indian Army and executed under the close supervision of the Directorate General of Military Operations, with the Chief of Defense Staff and all three service chiefs monitoring the developments in real time. Nine terrorist camps across the border were destroyed – seven by the Indian Army and two by the Indian Air Force – through precise, calibrated and timed strikes, which strengthened deterrence while maintaining control over escalation. Pakistan’s attempts to retaliate using drones over several nights between 7 and 10 May were foiled by Indian Army air defense units, highlighting the effectiveness of integrated counter-UAS and layered air defense systems. Along the Line of Control, more than a dozen terrorist launch pads were destroyed, disrupting infiltration routes and logistics networks. On 10 May 2025, Pakistan’s DGMO contacted his Indian counterpart demanding a ceasefire, leading to an agreement to stop firing and military action.
2. Long-range firepower and precision strike capability
The year 2025 saw major advances in the long-range precision strike capabilities of the Indian Army. On 1 December, a BrahMos unit under Southern Command, along with elements of Andaman and Nicobar Command, conducted a successful combat missile launch, which validated high speed flight stability and terminal accuracy under simulated battlefield conditions. This reaffirmed the Army’s readiness for deep precision strikes, even as development and testing of the extended-range BrahMos to shorten the sensor-to-shooter cycle continued throughout the year. Simultaneously, rocket artillery capabilities were strengthened with the operationalization of two additional Pinaka regiments in June 2025, providing increased stand-off firepower and rapid concentration of fire. The successful test in December of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket, with a reported range of about 120 km, marked an important step towards high-precision deep fire, with work reported on future variants with even longer ranges.
3. Aviation capability boost with Apache induction
Army Aviation gets the long-awaited boost in 2025 with the induction of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. On 22 July, the Indian Army received the first three Apaches, followed by delivery of the remaining three in December. This induction marked solid progress in the transformation of the Army Aviation Corps, particularly through enhanced close air support, anti-armor and battlefield strike capabilities in high-threat environments.
4. New organizations for future battlefields
The Indian Army moved decisively from concept to capability with the introduction of new battlefield organizations in 2025. In October, a capability demonstration in Rajasthan demonstrated the integrated employment of the newly inducted technical assets as well as the Bhairav ​​Battalion and Ashni Platoon. Open reporting during the year highlighted plans to operationalize 25 Bhairava Light Commando battalions on an accelerated timeline and to raise Ashni drone platoons into infantry units for ISR and precision effects. These were complemented by the development of Shaktiban Regiment and Divyastra Batteries, equipped with unmanned aerial systems and munitions to address future operational challenges.
5. Procurement and capacity building
Building on 2024, the Indian Army observed 2025 as the year of technology absorption, focusing on the acquisition and integration of new technologies and moving beyond operational embedding. Major capability milestones include the induction of six Apache helicopters, achievement of an impressive 91 per cent indigenization of ammunition and large-scale induction of unmanned aerial systems. During the year, the Army fielded about 3,000 remotely piloted aircraft, including about 150 tethered drones, swarm drones, logistics drones for high-altitude operations and kamikaze drones. Defense Acquisition Council approvals in August and December reflected a clear tilt toward unmanned systems, counter-UAS capabilities, increased night fighting, and precision fires, taking lessons from modern conflicts and recent operational experience.
6. Digital transformation and technological enablement
Operational digitalization gained strong momentum in 2025 as the Indian Army pursued faster decision making and technology-enabled warfare. Edge data centers were established to bring data processing and analysis closer to the strategic edge, significantly reducing data-to-decision timelines. At the same time, a large number of in-house software solutions were developed, including platforms such as the equipment helpline and the Sainik Yatri Mitra app, underscoring a parallel focus on responsive logistics, maintenance support and soldier-centric services.
7. Doctrine, Readiness and Strategic Review
The Army Commanders’ Conference held in Jaisalmer in October 2025 proved to be a major doctrinal milestone. The senior leadership deliberations focused on emerging challenges such as gray zone warfare, roadmap for greater solidarity and continued striving for Aatmanirbharta and innovation. These discussions aligned force design, readiness, and doctrine with the increasingly complex threat spectrum, ensuring that lessons from recent operations and global conflicts were incorporated into future planning.
8. Military diplomacy and joint exercises
Military diplomacy remains a strong pillar of the Indian Army’s engagement strategy in 2025. The year featured a wide range of bilateral exercises in diverse terrain and operational scenarios, aimed at enhancing interoperability and counter-terrorism preparedness. Notable exercises include Shakti with France, War Abhyas with the United States in Alaska, Maitri with Thailand in Meghalaya, Austriahind with Australia in Perth, Mitra Shakti with Sri Lanka in Belagavi, Ajeya Warrior with the United Kingdom in Rajasthan and Desert Cyclone-II with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, strengthening India’s growing network of strategic partnerships.
9. Defense Dialogue
Chanakya Defense Dialogue 2025 emerged as the premier strategic seminar series of the Indian Army, contributing significantly to defense thought leadership. The year’s engagements included a Young Leaders Forum in October, a curtain-raising podcast by General Upendra Dwivedi in November, and a keynote conversation later that month. Based on the theme of reform-to-transformation, the dialogue focused on building a secure and developed India through institutional reforms, innovation and strategic clarity.
10. Innovation and Indigenization
Grassroots innovation got a big boost through the Inno-Yoddha 2025-26 edition held between November and December. A record 89 innovations were submitted by Soldiers and units across the Army, of which 32 were selected for further development and fielding pathways. This initiative strengthened the Indian Army’s commitment to bottom-up innovation and indigenous capacity building, ensuring that operational challenges are met with home-grown, soldier-driven solutions.
