NEW DELHI, Dec 31: As the year drew to a close amidst persistent conflicts and geopolitical divisions, India prioritized enhancing its military capabilities by significantly increasing defense procurement, totaling Rs 4.22 lakh crore. This focus on military readiness coincided with the completion of troop pullbacks between Indian and Chinese forces at key border confrontations in eastern Ladakh.
The recent disengagement at the last two friction points—Demchok and Depsang—following an agreement on October 21 marked a significant easing of tensions, nearly four years after violent clashes in the Galwan Valley had strained bilateral relations.
Concurrently, the Indian military, which oversees approximately 3,500 km of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), maintained a proactive stance, enhancing its surveillance capabilities to monitor activities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) across the de facto boundary.
This year, India also expanded its strategic presence in the maritime domain, with the Indian Navy deploying over 30 ships in response to Houthi attacks involving drones and missiles targeted at numerous cargo vessels in the Red Sea.
The Indian Navy intervened in over 25 incidents and successfully escorted upwards of 230 merchant vessels carrying around 9 million metric tonnes of cargo valued at over USD 4 billion, as reported by officials.
A year-end review by the defense ministry highlighted that the Navy’s prompt actions saved more than 400 lives.
India asserted its strategic influence in vital maritime corridors, particularly in the Indian Ocean, as China intensified its regional presence.
As national security strategists explored innovative policies informed by global conflicts and tensions, the armed forces concentrated on enhancing combat capabilities through the acquisition of modern military hardware and technologies.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and Defence Procurement Board (DPB) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 40 capital acquisition initiatives worth Rs 4,22,129 crore in 2024 (up to November), as detailed in a year-end report from the defense ministry.
Notably, AoNs amounting to Rs 3,97,584 crore (94.19%) were approved for indigenous procurement, reflecting the government’s commitment to boosting domestic defense manufacturing through various policy measures.
A key agenda for the government was the development of indigenous military technologies to address upcoming national security challenges.
However, the anticipated advancement in theaterization to enhance coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force saw limited progress.
In October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex dedicated to producing C-295 transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with a deal for 56 C-295 units valued at Rs 21,935 crore, including 40 to be manufactured locally. The first indigenously produced C-295 is expected to be delivered by 2026.
A landmark achievement for India’s military was the induction of the domestically developed INS Arighaat, an Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarine, into the Navy on August 29. The government also greenlit the construction of two indigenous nuclear attack submarines.
In a significant development, India struck a major agreement with the US in October to acquire 31 Predator long-endurance drones from General Atomics, worth nearly USD 4 billion, aimed at enhancing military surveillance capabilities, especially along the contentious border with China.
These high-altitude, long-endurance drones are equipped to remain airborne for over 35 hours while carrying four Hellfire missiles and around 450 kilograms of ordnance.
Additionally, the Indian Navy commissioned the Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tushil in Kaliningrad this month.
In 2024, the Indian Light Tank (ILT) ‘Zorawar’ achieved a notable milestone by successfully firing multiple rounds at various ranges at an altitude exceeding 4,200 meters with precision.
The year also showcased India’s successful tests of critical missiles and weapon systems. In November, India conducted a test of the K-4 nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of approximately 3,500 km from a nuclear submarine in the Bay of Bengal, marking India as one of the few nations capable of launching nuclear missiles from land, air, and underwater.
In the same month, a long-range hypersonic missile was tested, recognized as a significant milestone given the rarity of such weapon systems globally. Hypersonic missiles can reach speeds exceeding Mach 5 (roughly 1,220 km/h) and can carry conventional or nuclear payloads.
The Indian military maintained a focus on integrating critical technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing to adapt to the evolving nature of warfare.
In the fiscal year 2023-2024, India’s defense production skyrocketed to a record Rs 1,26,887 crore, showcasing a growth of 16.7% compared to the previous year. The defense exports also hit a record high of Rs 21,083 crore in 2023-24, an increase of 32.5% from the previous fiscal year of Rs 15,920 crore.
In July, the government allocated Rs 6.22 lakh crore for the 2024-25 defense budget, with Rs 1.72 lakh crore earmarked for capital expenditures primarily aimed at acquiring new military equipment, including weapons, aircraft, and warships.
The Indian armed forces took part in various large-scale wargames throughout the year, notably hosting the Malabar exercise in October alongside the navies of the US, Australia, and Japan, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The wargame showcased key naval platforms, including guided missile destroyers, frigates, submarines, aircraft, and helicopters from the participating nations.
Despite the notable advancements, the Indian Navy faced challenges, including a severe fire on the frontline warship INS Brahmaputra in July, and a tragic incident in December where a passenger ferry collided with a navy speedboat in Mumbai, resulting in at least 13 fatalities.
The three armed services also saw leadership changes in 2024. Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, a specialist in communication and electronic warfare, took over as the 26th Chief of the Navy after Admiral R Hari Kumar’s retirement in April. In June, General Upendra Dwivedi, with significant operational expertise along borders with China and Pakistan, became the 30th Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding General Manoj Pande. In September, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh succeeded Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari as head of the Indian Air Force. (Agencies)
