India has set in motion an ambitious 15-year defence strategy designed to reshape its armed forces for the challenges of future warfare. The roadmap, which stretches up to 2040, outlines a transformation driven by artificial intelligence, hypersonic missile systems, and advanced space and cyber capabilities.
At the heart of the plan is the push for nuclear-powered warships and next-generation submarines, which would enhance the Navy’s endurance and reach in the Indo-Pacific. The strategy also highlights the development of laser-based weapons and AI-enabled systems, technologies expected to play a decisive role in tomorrow’s battlefields.
A major focus is on hypersonic strike capabilities that can provide unmatched speed and precision, alongside the deployment of autonomous platforms for both surveillance and combat. The roadmap further stresses expanding space assets for secure communication, real-time reconnaissance, and missile defense, underscoring space as an emerging theatre of conflict.
The government aims to accelerate domestic innovation by bringing the private sector, research institutions, and startups into the fold, reinforcing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in defence production.
Experts view this long-term strategy as critical for ensuring India keeps pace with rapid global military advancements. By 2040, India aspires to position itself among the leading powers with capabilities spanning land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.
