Defence
India Bets Big On Hypersonics, Stealth Drones, AI And EMALS-Equipped Aircraft Carrier In 15-Year Defence Plan: Report
INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, India's aircraft carriers, operating together at sea (File Photo)
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror strike and Operation Sindoor, the Modi government has reportedly unveiled India’s most extensive defence overhaul since 1947.
The Defence Ministry has prepared a 15-year plan that will reshape the Army, Navy, and Air Force with billions of dollars in investment and next-generation technology, NDTV reported, citing a copy of the roadmap.
The roadmap reportedly proposes induction of nuclear-powered warships, next-generation battle tanks, hypersonic missiles, stealth bomber drones, AI-powered weapons, and space-based warfare technology to India's arsenal.
According to the vision document, the Indian Army is set to phase out its ageing T-72 fleet, bringing in nearly 1,800 advanced tanks, along with 400 lightweight tanks designed for high-altitude terrain, 50,000 tank-mounted ATGMs, and over 700 robotic systems to counter IEDs.
For the Navy, the roadmap includes a new aircraft carrier, 10 next-gen frigates, seven stealth corvettes, and four amphibious landing dock platforms.
Approval has also been granted for nuclear propulsion and electromagnetic launch technology on aircraft carriers.
The Air Force will be reinforced with 75 high-altitude pseudo-satellites for continued surveillance, 150 stealth bomber drones, precision-guided strike packages, and over 100 new remotely piloted aircraft.
The move comes months after Operation Sindoor, launched after 26 civilians were killed in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed terrorists on 22 April.
During Operation Sindoor, India’s precision strikes hit terror camps across Pakistan and PoK.
Despite India making it clear that only terror infrastructure was targeted, Pakistan launched thousands of drones and rockets targeting civilian areas in India's western sector.
Most of the Pakistani drones and missiles were neutralised by Indian air defence.
India then targeted Pakistan's military installation, including its key airbases, forcing Islamabad to seek a ceasefire.
