The Indian Army’s senior leadership convened on Monday in Delhi for a pivotal two-day discussion led by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi. This meeting, the first under General Dwivedi’s command since he assumed his role on June 30, 2024, brought together the General Officer Commanding-in-Chiefs from the Army’s seven commands to strategize the future of the Indian Army.

The meeting’s central focus was aligning the Army’s future trajectory with Centre’s ambitious Vision@2047. This forum provided an invaluable opportunity for the Army’s top brass to discuss strategic issues and set the direction for the Army’s transformation over the next two decades.

Central to the discussions was the Indian Army’s Vision@2047, which envisions the force transforming into a modern, agile, adaptive, technology-enabled, and self-reliant future-ready entity. The vision emphasizes the Army’s capability to deter and win wars across multiple domains, protecting national interests in synergy with other services.

The senior leadership outlined several key goals for the coming decade, including:

  1. Theaterisation and reorganisation: The leadership discussed the need for the reorganisation of Army and Command Headquarters, along with the realignment of Command, Corps, and Area HQ boundaries to enhance operational efficiency
  2. Multi-domain operational capabilities: Emphasis was placed on enhancing capabilities across land, air, cyber, and space domains. The discussion also highlighted the importance of conducting data-centric operations to leverage technology effectively
  3. Capability development: A comprehensive roadmap for the upgradation of Mechanised Forces, Artillery, Combat Aviation, Air Defence, and Infantry was laid out. The discussion also included options for improving logistics, ammunition infrastructure, and the framework for automation and networking of systems
  4. Atmanirbharta and indigenisation: The COAS urged all stakeholders to promote self-reliance by supporting the indigenisation of equipment, platforms, and weapons. This initiative aligns with India’s broader goal of becoming a leading defence exporter
  5. Jointness and integration: The discussions underscored the need to strengthen joint operations and integration between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Establishing common military stations and units for logistics and communication was also discussed