Operational Employment and Deterrence : Operation Sindoor (May 2025)
Trigger: Operation SINDOOR was launched in May 2025 following Pahalgam Attack by Pakistan Army backed terrorists.

Planning & Command

Entire operational planning was carried out at the Military Operations Branch of the Indian Army.
Execution was monitored from the Ops Room of the Indian Army’s Directorate General of Military Operations, with CDS and all three Service Chiefs present.

Execution

Nine terrorist camps across the border were destroyed

Seven camps were neutralised by the Indian Army; Balance two camps destroyed by the Indian Air Force
Strikes were precise, calibrated and time-bound, reinforcing deterrence while maintaining escalation control

Countering Pakistan’s Retaliation Attempts

Drone Attacks Foiled on the nights of 07, 08, 09 and 10 May 2025, Pakistan attempted to target military and civilian assets using drones.
Indian Army Air Defence units successfully neutralised all threats, preventing damage and casualties.
Demonstrated effectiveness of integrated Counter-UAS and layered air defence systems.

Along the Line of Control

More than a dozen terror launch pads along the LoC were destroyed using Indian Army ground-based weapons.
Disrupted infiltration routes and terror logistics networks
10 May 2025: Director General of Military Operations of the Indian Army was approached by his Pakistani counterpart with request for ceasefire - Understanding was reached to stop firing/military action.

Long-Range Firepower and Precision Strike BrahMos (Army)

01 Dec 2025: A BrahMos unit of Southern Command, with elements of Andaman & Nicobar Command, executed a combat missile launch validating high-speed flight stability and terminal accuracy under simulated battle conditions—reinforcing long-range precision strike readiness.
Extended-range BrahMos development/testing also featured in open reporting through 2025 as India pushes longer reach and quicker “sensor-to-shooter” cycles.
Pinaka (Rockets)
24 Jun 2025: Operationalisation of two additional Pinaka regiments was reported, strengthening stand-off firepower with a focus on rapid concentration of fires.
29 Dec 2025: Successful test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) (reported range ~120 km), marking a notable step towards higher-precision deep fires.
Indigenous rocket evolution accelerated in 2025, including reported work towards ~300 km-class Pinaka variants for future deep-strike options.
Aviation and High-Value Inductions Apache AH-64E (Army Aviation Corps)
22 Jul 2025: Indian Army received the first three AH-64E Apaches, with the remaining three delivered in Dec 2025, progressing the long-pending Army Aviation induction plan.
New Organisations and Battlefield Structures

Bhairav Battalions and Ashni Platoons (2025 roll-out and fielding)

24 Oct 2025: A capability demonstration in Rajasthan showcased integrated employment of new organisations such as the Bhairav Battalion and Ashni Platoon, alongside newly inducted technological assets—signalling visible movement from concept to fielded capability.
Open reporting in Oct 2025 described a plan to operationalise 25 Bhairav light commando battalions on an accelerated timeline,

and the raising of Ashni drone platoons across infantry for ISR and precision effects.

Shaktibaan Regiments and Divyastra Batteries

New structures to meet future chellenges equipped with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles including Loiter Munitions
Procurements and Capability Building Years of tech Absorption (2024 & 2025)
Indian Army observed last two years as Years of Tech Absorption
Aim was to move from technology adoption to integration, embedding new technologies

Major AoNs / acquisition signals in 2025

Induction of Attack Helicopters : 06 Apache Helicopters have been inducted this year enhancing the capability of Indian Army.
91 % Indigenisation of Ammunition: Indian Army has achieved high state of indigenization in terms of ammunition. Of all the ammunition in use by the Indian Army, 91% are now indigenized.

Induction of Unmanned Aerial Systems

A variety of UAS have been inducted into the Indian Army in last one year. This includes various types of Drones including about 3000 RPAs, about 150 Tethered Drones, Swarm Drones, Logistics Drones for High Altitude Areas and Kamikaze Drones etc.
05 Aug 2025 (DAC): AoN accorded for Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight for BMPs (Army), improving night mobility and mechanised operational tempo; also cleared

MALE RPAs for tri- service surveillance/strike roles.

29 Dec 2025 (DAC)

Visibly tilted towards: unmanned systems, counter-UAS and precision fires; reflecting lessons from modern conflicts and recent operational experience.
Tech Enablement, Digital Transformation Operational digitisation and enablers
The year gave momentum to the Tech Absorption in the Indian Army. Aim was to induct niche technology, make structural changes to absorb the new technology and be ready to fight the future wars
Edge Data Centres were set up with intent to enable faster data- to-decision cycles closer to the tactical edge.
Large Number of Inhouse Softwares were developed. Some examples being Equipment Helpline and Sainik Yatri Mitra App, reflecting focus on responsive support systems and streamlined soldier-facing services
Doctrine, Readiness and Senior-Level Reviews: Army Commanders’ Conference (Jaisalmer) - October 2025
Senior leadership deliberations prominently featured Grey Zone Warfare, the roadmap for Jointness, and Aatmanirbharta & Innovation, aligning doctrine and force design with the evolving threat spectrum.
Military Diplomacy and Joint Exercises (Selected Highlights)
Key bilateral exercises conducted/hosted in 2025 to deepen interoperability, counter-terror/urban ops readiness, and regional partnerships:
Exercise SHAKTI (India–France): 18 Jun – 01 Jul 2025 (France).
Exercise YUDH ABHYAS (India–USA): 01 – 14 Sep 2025 (Alaska).
Exercise MAITREE-XIV (India–Thailand): 01 – 14 Sep 2025
(Meghalaya).
Exercise AUSTRAHIND (India–Australia): 13 – 26 Oct 2025
(Perth).
Exercise MITRA SHAKTI XI (India–Sri Lanka): 10 – 23 Nov 2025
(Belagavi).
Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR-25 (India–UK): 17 – 30 Nov 2025
(Rajasthan).
Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II (India–UAE): 18 – 30 Dec 2025
(Abu Dhabi).

Defence Dialogues and Strategic Thought Leadership

Chanakya Defence Dialogue (CDD) 2025 positioned as the Indian Army’s flagship strategic seminar series, with key milestones:
Young Leaders Forum (31 Oct 2025)
Curtain Raiser (17 Nov 2025) : Podcast by General Upendra Dwivedi on major military issues.
Main Dialogue (late Nov 2025), anchored to the theme of
reform-to-transform for a secure and developed India.

Innovation and Indigenisation

Inno-Yoddha (2025–26 edition conducted in Nov–Dec 2025)

Record 89 innovations submitted; 32 selected for further development and fielding pathways—reinforcing bottom-up innovation and Atmanirbhar capability creation.