India stands at a turning point in its defence journey. For decades, the Armed Forces relied on imports and short-term fixes, often paying the price in delays and capability gaps. That approach is finally changing.
The 15-year defence modernisation plan for India (2025–2040) lays out a long-term roadmap that goes beyond stopgap measures. It is not only about new weapons, but about creating a force structure built for the next generation of warfare across land, sea, air, cyber, and space.
As a defence enthusiast, I see this plan as India’s most serious attempt at strategic maturity. It is about preparing the Armed Forces to fight tomorrow’s wars with tomorrow’s tools, while ensuring greater self-reliance through indigenous production.
What’s Included in the 15-Year Defence Modernisation Plan for India
The roadmap, guided by the Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) and the Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR 2025), covers all three services and new warfighting domains.
Key focus areas include:
- Indian Navy modernisation 2040: Plans to expand to 200+ warships by the mid-2030s, with 5–10 Next-Generation Destroyers, new frigates, and 10 nuclear propulsion systems for carriers and large combatants. A possible nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is under study.
- Indian Air Force hypersonic weapons plan: DRDO’s hypersonic missiles and long-range cruise weapons are to be inducted. By 2040, the IAF targets 10–11 squadrons of fifth-generation fighters (~180–220 aircraft) and up to 20 squadrons of unmanned stealth jets (≈300–400 aircraft).
- Future Indian Army tanks and artillery: Introduction of advanced tanks with active protection, precision artillery systems, and digitised command posts.
- Indigenous drone development in India: Procurement of 87 MALE UAVs already approved. The Navy’s projection includes 120+ MALE UAVs, 30 Combat MALE UAVs, 20 HALE UAVs, and over 150 shipborne UAVs by 2040.
- Artificial Intelligence in Indian defence: Battlefield awareness, logistics, targeting, and predictive maintenance.
- Indian defence cyber warfare strategy: Offensive and defensive cyber capabilities for resilient networks.
- Space warfare doctrine India: Satellite resilience, space situational awareness, and secure communications.
- Industry and procurement: A self-reliant defence production roadmap supported by Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020) and private sector participation.
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How the 15-Year Plan Will Work For India
The roadmap is phased into three stages, each building toward long-term outcomes.
Short term (2025–2028)
- Defence reforms India 2025–2040 begin with streamlined procurement under DAP 2020.
- Induction of 87 MALE UAVs and expanded use of 110+ air-launched BrahMos missiles.
- Deliveries of 99 GE F404 engines for Tejas Mk1A are underway.
- Testing of the multi-domain operations strategy through tri-service exercises.
- Budget note: India allocated ₹1.72 lakh crore for capital procurement in FY2025–26, with 75% earmarked for indigenous production.
Midterm (2028–2034)
- Expansion of India’s future defence projects 2030, such as hypersonic missile trials, loyal wingman UAVs, and precision artillery.
- Commissioning of new submarines and 5–10 Next Generation Destroyers.
- Wider use of AI for predictive maintenance and logistics.
- India targets $25 billion in annual defence production and $5 billion in exports by 2040.
Long term (2034–2040)
- Possible induction of India’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
- A fully networked Indian military capability development plan across all domains.
- Implementation of India’s long-term defence acquisition strategy, anchored in Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- IAF aims to restore 42 squadrons, with at least 25% fifth-generation fighters by 2040.
From my perspective, this phased structure ensures India avoids ad-hoc purchases and instead builds a sustainable, balanced force.
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Benefits For The Armed Forces:
Indian Army
- Future Indian Army tanks and artillery with active protection and networked systems.
- Precision long-range fires integrated with ISR.
- Digitised formations for faster decision-making.
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Indian Air Force
- Deployment of hypersonic missiles for deep-strike capability by 2030.
- Induction of 400–500 new combat aircraft by 2040, including stealth jets and UAVs.
- Future fighter jets and UAVs, including up to 20 squadrons of unmanned stealth jets (~300–400 aircraft).
- Renewed helicopter fleet designed for mountain warfare.
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Indian Navy
- 200+ ships and submarines in service by 2035.
- 3–4 aircraft carriers by 2040, with ~171 carrier-based aircraft (mix of Rafale-M and TEDBF).
- Expanded maritime UAV squadrons for surveillance and ASW.
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India’s Defence Challenges by 2040
- Budget sustainability: Funding such scale, including 400+ aircraft, 200+ ships, and thousands of drones, requires stable budgets across governments.
- Technology risk: Hypersonics, nuclear propulsion, and AI carry long development cycles.
- Execution of reforms: Defence reforms India 2025–2040 must convert from policies to fielded systems.
- Adversary competition: The India vs China military modernisation comparison shows China expanding its naval fleet, hypersonics, and AI at a pace.
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Self-reliance and industry roadmap
The TPCR 2025 identifies priority areas for DRDO, DPSUs, and private players like Tata, L&T, Adani, and Bharat Forge. The indigenous defence production vision for 2040 focuses on:
- Achieve 75% domestic procurement by 2030.
- Build local supply chains and manufacturing ecosystems.
- Export systems worth $5 billion annually by 2040.
By then, India seeks not only to equip its Armed Forces but also to be a global supplier.
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Modernisation of the Indian military explained
The modernisation of the Indian military can be summarised as:
- Army: next-generation tanks, artillery, and digitisation.
- Navy: carriers, submarines, UAVs, and destroyers.
- Air Force: hypersonics, loyal wingman UAVs, and helicopters.
- Cross-domain: AI integration, cyber warfare, and space-based command networks.
This reflects a true multi-domain operations strategy, where land, sea, air, cyber, and space forces operate as one.
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Timelines and milestones to watch
- 2025–2026 – Deliveries of C-295 transport aircraft, with total orders reaching ~81.
- 2026 – Rollout of Tejas Mk2 prototype.
- 2027 – First flight of AMCA Mk1.
- 2027–2028 – Operational induction of MALE UAV squadrons.
- 2028–2030 – Limited deployment of hypersonic missiles.
- 2030–2032 – Navy fleet approaches 200 warships.
- 2035 – Possible induction of nuclear-powered carrier.
- 2040 – Fully AI-enabled multi-domain command networks.
My perspective as a defence enthusiast
This roadmap feels like India’s most serious attempt at long-term planning. Unlike past efforts, the 15-year defence modernisation plan for the Army, Navy, and Air Force is phased, structured, and linked to procurement cycles.
If implemented effectively, by 2040 India will have:
- Blue-water naval power with nuclear carriers and advanced submarines.
- Hypersonic strike capability backed by AI and cyber networks.
- Digitised Army formations integrated with space and ISR assets.
- A self-reliant defence industry exporting to global markets.
To me, this roadmap signals confidence. For the first time, India is preparing to fight future wars with the right tools, instead of relying on outdated assets.
FAQs
Q1. How will India modernise its Armed Forces by 2040?
By inducting 400+ combat aircraft, 200+ naval vessels, thousands of drones, hypersonics, AI, and space-enabled command systems.
Q2. What role does the Defence Acquisition Procedure play?
It speeds up procurement and ensures transparency, making it central to modernisation.
Q3. How will multi-domain operations impact the Armed Forces?
They will integrate land, sea, air, cyber, and space into a unified battle network.
Q4. What is the purpose of TPCR 2025?
It identifies capability gaps and guides industry investment priorities.
Q5. How many drones is India planning to induct?
At least 87 MALE UAVs cleared, with Navy projections of 300–400 more drones of different classes by 2040.
Q6. Will India build a nuclear-powered carrier?
Yes, the study is part of the 15-year roadmap, with decisions expected between 2034 and 2040.
Final thoughts
The 15-year defence modernisation plan for India explains the modernisation of the Indian military, outlines India’s future defence projects by 2030, and prepares for the challenges of 2040.
If carried through, it will transform India into a self-reliant, multi-domain military power capable of deterring adversaries and shaping regional security.
This is more than a plan. It is India’s opportunity to rewrite its defence story for the next generation.