Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 24 October released the Indian Army’s Land Warfare Doctrine while addressing the annual Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi, urging the service’s senior leadership to adopt a long-term strategic perspective and to remain ready for both immediate and emerging challenges.
Doctrine, long-term vision and multi-domain preparedness
Speaking to the assembled commanders, the defence minister called for a strategic vision spanning the next 20–30 years and for plans and strategies that are dynamic and can be adjusted as circumstances change. He emphasised the importance of strengthening capabilities, continuously assessing performance and implementing improvements in line with evolving threats.
Rajnath Singh highlighted the need to accelerate work in specific technology areas, naming artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, data analytics, cybersecurity and secure communication networks as priority fields. At the same time he underlined that despite expanding challenges in the air, maritime, space and cyber domains, land warfare and ground forces remain indispensable to national defence, and must be integrated into a multi-domain approach.
Operational focus and institutional review
The Commanders’ Conference serves as the senior-most forum for the Indian Army to review ongoing initiatives and identify future thrust areas. The defence minister asked the top brass to closely monitor geopolitical and regional developments and to be prepared to respond to both present and near-term contingencies.
- Land Warfare Doctrine released to provide an overarching framework for preparing the Army to meet the evolving character of warfare.
- Priority technologies listed: AI, autonomous systems, data analytics, cybersecurity, secure communications.
- Call for a 20–30 year strategic vision and flexible strategies for timely adjustments.
International and peacekeeping recognition
On the sidelines of the conference, Rajnath Singh also released the annual United Nations Journal and felicitated Indian Army personnel who have made notable contributions while serving as UN peacekeepers, recognising their service and professionalism in international operations.
The presentation of the Land Warfare Doctrine at the Army Commanders’ Conference formalises the Army leadership’s intent to align doctrine, capability development and training with a future characterised by rapid technological change and multi-domain challenges. The defence minister’s remarks make clear that the Army leadership is expected to pursue modernisation while retaining the central role of ground forces in national defence planning.
