Emergency Procurement Fast-Tracks Niche Military Equipment After Pahalgam
New Formations Introduced to Tackle Hybrid, High-Tempo Warfare
Push for Indigenous Defence Ecosystem Reaches 91% Ammunition
New Delhi| Sept, 15 : Operation Sindoor has triggered a comprehensive review and overhaul of the Indian Army’s operational capabilities, with the post-operation assessment leading to a sharper focus on force restructuring, jointness, unmanned systems, counter-drone capabilities, electronic warfare and accelerated procurement, according to the Ministry of Defence’s Annual Report 2025-26.
The report, released recently, said the operation, launched following the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, demonstrated the need to rapidly bridge critical capability gaps and prepare the Army for technology-intensive, multi-domain warfare. “After the operation, India has undertaken a comprehensive review of capability voids with clear focus on Force Restructuring, enhancing Jointness and integrating Emerging Technologies,” the report said. Describing Operation Sindoor as “a resounding testament” to India’s resolve against terrorism, the report said the Army delivered a “calibrated and decisive blow” deep inside Pakistan’s terror infrastructure.
“Operation SINDOOR was not just an operational success but a strategic statement,” it said, adding that the operation showcased the Army’s “multi domain capability, strategic foresight and restraint” while highlighting the importance of intelligence dominance, cutting-edge technology and joint operational readiness. The Army mobilised immediately after the Pahalgam attack and conducted brainstorming sessions to identify equipment gaps and mitigation measures from both domestic and global sources.
A special Defence Acquisition Council meeting held on May 9, 2025, approved urgent capital acquisition cases under Emergency Procurement (EP)-2025. “Based on the lessons of Phase-1 of Operation SINDOOR, a pragmatic approach is being adopted to enhance the capability of IA through induction of niche equipment,” the report said. The immediate priority areas identified included unmanned aerial systems (UAS), counter-UAS (C-UAS), loitering munitions, air defence and electronic warfare systems.
The Army also reached out to domestic and global defence manufacturers, academia and public sector undertakings to induct critical capabilities on a “War Footing”. A key lesson from Operation Sindoor was the need to rapidly build indigenous capabilities in emerging technologies. The report acknowledged the “inability of indigenous industry to offer niche products” in the UAS, C-UAS and loitering munition domains.
To address the gap, the Army moved a proposal for nine Fast Track Development Projects under ADITI and DISC. The proposal was endorsed by the Defence Secretary, with directions to the Department of Defence Production to take them up as iDEX projects. A Core Committee on UAS and C-UAS has also been constituted as an empowered body for decisions relating to the induction, proliferation and empowerment of such systems. In addition, the Army has prepared a proposal for a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for UAS and C-UAS, with special financial powers to enable faster research, development and procurement.
The Army has simultaneously moved ahead with restructuring and creation of new formations. The report said new-generation equipment and force multipliers, including Rudra Brigades, Shaktibaan Regiments, Divyastra Batteries and Bhairav Battalions, have been introduced. Orders have been issued for 15 Bhairav Battalions, designed for specialised tasks in hybrid warfare and high-tempo operations.The Army has also decided to establish an Ashni drone platoon in every infantry battalion in a phased manner, by reorganising existing reconnaissance and surveillance resources to absorb niche drone technology.
The report said the experience of Operation Sindoor had reinforced the importance of combining advanced equipment with trained manpower. “Post Operation Sindoor, it has come to fore that development and acquisition of hi-tech equipment with surge capability alongwith trained human resource remains a primary requirement for strengthening our Armed Forces,” it said. The operation has also provided impetus to research and development projects aimed at building a home-grown defence ecosystem involving DPSUs, private industry and start-ups. The report said 159 of 175 ammunition variants, or nearly 91 per cent, have been indigenised.
A phased 10-year roadmap has been prepared to expand domestic production and secure stocks against supply-chain disruptions. The Army has also developed in-house drone manufacturing capacity in collaboration with SMEs, with 819 drones manufactured so far, including surveillance, kamikaze/armed and FPV drones. Another significant development is the LAKSHYA-PT precision-targeting software, developed with ADRIN, which is designed to improve target acquisition accuracy and reduce dependence on foreign agencies.
