Transformation of the Indian Armed Forces: 2025

Maj Gen A K Lal (Retd)

May 2012 · Vij Books India Pvt Ltd

About this ebook

Transformation should lie at the heart of our new approach to defense. The development of transformational capabilities, processes, and force structures should be given strategic focus to meet the principal challenges under our defense strategy. India is already ceased with the necessity of transformation albeit without any documented national security guidelines or operating instructions, which are legislated or have the validation of at least the 'Cabinet Committee on Security'(CCS). In other words the first step would be to create a draft security strategy based on many assumptions, like the foreign policy or the cumulative emerging threat scenario as appreciated by the Defence Intelligence Agency(DIA).

This well researched book is a result of the project allotted by the USI under the Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa chair. The book is therefore more as an idea or a theoretical construct, basically to bring in more clarity to the various options available for this great transformation of the Indian military. The author has deliberated upon various landmarks of transformation milestones achieved so far by the three services and given recommendations to further build upon ongoing modernization plan and shift to a higher plane of transformational activities.

About the author

A K Lal was a research fellow at the IDSA (1999-2001) and The Chair of Excellence at the USI-2001-2002 (Research on Space and Military strategy) and was awarded the GOLD MEDAL for best Essay/military paper on Strategic Security (Space) by United Service Institution of India. He was associated in drafting of the Army's perspective of the first Nuclear Doctrine. Post Pokhran, he was involved in drafting of the first NBC doctrine. He Commanded the elite 9 Independent Infantry Brigade in J&K Sector and later was the GOC of the Siachin Division. He has authored many books and articles, the noteworthy amongst them are “Global Armageddon”, “Space Warfare and Military Strategy”, “Neo-Terrorism: An Indian experience” and “Nuclear Strategy and Disarmament” (2007).