Rupal Kalebere
March 2025 will be remembered as a watershed moment in India’s defence modernization journey — a month when multiple strands of national effort in technological innovation, self-reliance, strategic planning, and defence diplomacy came together to create visible, tangible outcomes.
It was not just the sheer volume of announcements — new weapons systems, successful test-firings, landmark contracts — that made March exceptional. It was the nature of the advances: each achievement symbolized a higher level of technological maturity, deepening indigenous capabilities, and a cohesive strategic vision that connects India’s armed forces, scientific community, industry, and policymaking ecosystem into a unified front.
At a time when global security challenges are becoming increasingly complex and multidimensional — from great power rivalries to maritime contestations to grey, hybrid and transparent warfare — India’s evolving defence posture is finally beginning to reflect a mature, self-sustaining, and future-ready national security architecture.
Taking to the Skies: Strengthening Air Power
India’s efforts to boost its air power achieved significant momentum this month with a series of landmark developments, led by a common thread: indigenisation.
The successful high-altitude flight trials of the On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft is a critical breakthrough. Developed by DRDO’s DEBEL and produced with 90% indigenous content, the ILSS eliminates dependency on imported liquid oxygen systems, enhancing pilot endurance, mission survivability, and operational autonomy.
This innovation, apart from improving fighter safety, sends a strategic message — India can now independently design, produce, and certify advanced pilot life-support systems suited for fifth-generation air combat environments.
Further enhancing aerial combat capabilities, the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) was successfully test-fired from the LCA AF MK1 prototype. Capable of engaging targets over 100 kilometers with pinpoint accuracy, the Astra test marks another critical step in ensuring that future Indian fighters are armed with homegrown precision weaponry, enabling air dominance over adversaries without reliance on foreign suppliers.
Meanwhile, the signing of contracts for 156 LCH ‘Prachand’ helicopters for the Indian Air Force and Indian Army — a deal worth ₹62,700 crore — elevates India’s rotary-wing capabilities to a new plateau. Capable of operating at altitudes over 5,000 meters, LCH is tailor-made for India’s mountainous theatres, from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The procurement, involving over 250 domestic companies (mainly MSMEs), also represents a transformative shift in India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem — decentralizing and democratizing defence production across the private sector.
Complementing these efforts, the MoD’s contract for the wet leasing of a KC-135 Flight Refueling Aircraft (FRA)signals India’s intent to expand the strategic reach of its air assets. The FRA will allow Indian pilots from the IAF and Navy to hone their mid-air refueling skills — a critical enabler for long-endurance missions and power projection.
Finally, the procurement of the Low-Level Transportable Radar (Ashwini) from BEL — an indigenously developed, active electronically scanned array radar system — will dramatically strengthen India’s low-level airspace monitoring capabilities against emerging aerial threats, from drones to stealth platforms.
The Cabinet also cleared the GtG contract for acquisition of 26 Rafael-M Fighters for the Indian Navy at an investment of Rs 63,887 crore (Euro 6.6 billion) – significantly enhancing its carrier capabilities. With France, the Rs 33,500 crore one for additional P75 submarines are also nearing financial closure.
Reforging the Arsenal: Upgrading Land Forces
In parallel with aerial advancements, March saw critical progress in modernizing the Indian Army’s ground forces, the mainstay of India’s conventional deterrence posture.
The signing of contracts for upgrading the engines of T-72 and T-90 tanks — the Army’s primary armoured platforms — reflects a much-needed shift towards enhancing mobility, especially in high-altitude and rugged terrains where superior mobility can decisively influence outcomes.
While T-72 tanks will be upgraded to 1000 HP engines under a $248 million contract with Rosoboronexport, the T-90s will receive 1350 HP powerplants, following DAC’s clearance. Together, these upgrades will substantially increase the tanks’ power-to-weight ratio, battlefield agility, and survivability.
A quantum leap in artillery capabilities was achieved with the procurement of 155mm/52 calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems. Designed to fire extended-range precision munitions, ATAGS will replace older vintage systems, enhancing the Army’s deep-fire capability and allowing precision strikes against adversary forces and installations.
Further, the procurement of the Nag Missile System (NAMIS) (Tracked Version) for mechanized infantry units will bolster India’s anti-tank warfare capabilities with fire-and-forget technology, enhancing survivability and lethality during armoured engagements.
The acquisition of 5,000 high-mobility light vehicles for rapid deployment across India’s varied terrains adds another layer to the Army’s operational readiness. Mobility, as many modern wars have demonstrated, often defines not just battles but wars themselves.
Silent Warriors: Building Maritime Strength
While land and air modernization grabbed headlines, India’s maritime capabilities quietly made steady, strategic progress.
The launch of the second indigenous frigate ‘Tavasya’ under Project 1135.6 by Goa Shipyard Limited stands as a symbol of India’s naval resurgence. Equipped with stealth features, BrahMos missile systems, and advanced sonar suites, ‘Tavasya’ represents a generational leap in Indian shipbuilding capabilities.
Critically, the indigenous content in these frigates exceeds 56%, a sharp rise from the mere 25% in similar classes imported earlier — a remarkable achievement for India’s shipbuilding industry.
The continuous delivery of Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barges and Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barges by Indian MSME shipyards highlights another aspect of naval modernization often overlooked: the logistics backbone. These barges are vital for the seamless transfer of weapons, munitions, and supplies to warships at jetties and at sea — a critical force multiplier during high-tempo naval operations.
Adding to the Navy’s future-proofing efforts, DRDO successfully tested the Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM), designed for close-in shipborne defence against aerial threats. This system will be pivotal in enhancing the survivability of frontline naval assets against precision-guided munitions and aerial saturation attacks.
Innovation Ecosystem: A New Foundation for Future Capabilities
Beyond procurement, March 2025 has been equally significant for how it strengthened the foundation of India’s defence innovation ecosystem.
The signing of a MoU between Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) institutionalizes a formal collaboration between India’s best scientists and defence planners. It recognizes that in the wars of tomorrow, technological edge, not just numerical superiority, will decide winners.
The brainstorming sessions conducted with over 50 MSMEs and startups reflect the Ministry of Defence’s acknowledgment that the future of warfare — from AI-based decision systems to quantum communication — will be shaped not just by large corporations but by agile, innovative new entrants.
Policy Thrust: Reforming the Acquisition Process
In a historic policy push, the Defence Acquisition Council accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for projects worth over ₹54,000 crore, covering critical capabilities for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Equally important is the MoD’s approval of new guidelines to reduce acquisition timelines — a chronic bottleneck that has historically delayed vital procurement projects. Designating 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ in capital acquisitions reflects an institutional realization: timeliness is critical to operational effectiveness.
The numbers themselves tell a compelling story. By March 2025, the MoD had signed 193 contracts worth ₹2,09,050 crore — 92% of which were awarded to domestic industry. This record not only beats previous years but represents a fundamental rebalancing of India’s defence procurement strategy in favor of self-reliance.
Conclusion: Marching Toward Strategic Autonomy
March 2025, then, was not merely a productive month — it was an inflection point.
In the skies, on land, across oceans, and within the corridors of innovation, India’s defence architecture is being fundamentally reshaped by a common vision: achieving strategic autonomy.
The transformation visible today is the result of sustained investments — financial, political, and institutional — over the past decade. Yet, challenges remain: ensuring timely deliveries, building a skilled defence workforce, safeguarding against cyber vulnerabilities, and maintaining pace with global technological disruptions.
But the direction is clear. With each indigenous radar, each helicopter rolled off the assembly line, each successful missile test, and each private-sector collaboration, India is redefining itself not just as a major military power but as a self-confident technological power capable of defending its interests in an increasingly volatile world.
March 2025 has set a powerful precedent. The mission now must be to turn this momentum into a permanent movement.