The Indian Army's ability to match the speed and lethality of modern warfare is a complex issue, with both promising advancements and significant drawbacks.

While the army's leadership recognizes the need to adapt to a high-speed, multi-domain battlefield, the legacy of a slow procurement process and an aging inventory creates a substantial gap between ambition and reality.

Artillery: A Mixed Bag of Modernization-

Artillery is often called the "King of Battles," and its ability to deliver precise, long-range fire is crucial for modern combat. The Indian Army's artillery modernization efforts have made progress, but a significant portion of its inventory remains outdated.

• Modernization in Progress: The Indian Army has been making a concerted effort to replace its old 130mm and 105mm guns with the more modern and powerful 155mm caliber systems. Key acquisitions and indigenous developments include:

  • K9 Vajra-T: This self-propelled howitzer, acquired from South Korea and built in India, provides a mobile and lethal platform for desert and plain warfare. The army is also looking to procure more units after their successful deployment in high-altitude conditions.

  • M777 Howitzer: These ultra-light howitzers, acquired from the U.S., are crucial for high-altitude mountainous terrain due to their ability to be airlifted by Chinook helicopters.

  • Indigenous Systems: The Dhanush gun, a locally produced variant of the Bofors gun, and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), an indigenously developed gun with a long range, are key components of the "Make in India" initiative. The army is also focused on developing new mounted gun systems for improved mobility.

  • Rocket Systems: The indigenous Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher has been a major success, with its range being extended to provide a powerful area-denial capability.

• Challenges: The modernization process is far from complete.

  • Outdated Inventory: A large number of towed artillery systems are still in service, which are less mobile and more vulnerable to counter-battery fire compared to modern self-propelled guns.

  • Logistical Strain: While new systems are being inducted, the sheer size of the Indian Army means the process will take years. The logistics of maintaining a mixed fleet of old and new systems, with different calibers and ammunition requirements, is a major challenge.

  • Need for Precision: Modern warfare emphasizes precision-guided munitions (PGMs). While India is acquiring some, the widespread use of "dumb" ammunition in a conflict could result in high collateral damage and reduced effectiveness.

Armored Corps: A Numerical Advantage with Qualitative Gaps-

The Indian Army's armored corps is one of the largest in the world, but it faces the challenge of adapting a Cold War-era force to the demands of a high-tech battlefield.

• Legacy Fleet: The backbone of the armored corps consists of a large fleet of Russian-origin T-72 and T-90 tanks. While the T-90 is a capable platform, the T-72, despite ongoing upgrades, is an aging platform that lacks the advanced fire control systems, superior optics, and active protection systems of modern tanks.

• The Arjun MBT: The indigenously developed Arjun Main Battle Tank has had a long and troubled history. While it has proven to be a capable system, it is heavy and faces logistical challenges, especially in mountainous terrain, and has not been inducted in large numbers.

• Future Combat Vehicle (FRCV): The army's long-term plan is to replace its aging T-72 fleet with the FRCV. This is a critical program, but it is still in the early stages, and the long procurement timelines in India's defense sector could mean a long wait for the next generation of armored vehicles.

• Vulnerability to Modern Threats: The conflicts in Ukraine have demonstrated the vulnerability of even modern tanks to low-cost anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and loitering munitions. The speed and lethality of these modern weapons can overwhelm traditional armored defenses. While India is acquiring ATGMs, the widespread use of drones and loitering munitions could pose a significant threat to its armored formations.

The Role of Technology and Doctrine-

Matching the speed and lethality of modern warfare is not just about the platforms themselves but also about how they are integrated into a cohesive fighting force.

• Network-Centric Warfare: The army is focusing on creating a network-centric battlefield where all assets—tanks, artillery, infantry, and drones—are linked in real time to provide shared situational awareness. The induction of drones for reconnaissance and target acquisition is a key part of this strategy.

• Structural Reforms: The army is undergoing restructuring to create more agile and lethal integrated battle groups (IBGs). This move is aimed at reducing the time it takes to mobilize and deploy troops, which is a critical factor in a high-speed conflict.

Conclusion-

The Indian Army is not "fully armed" for a modern, high-speed conflict, but it is not unprepared either. Its large, battle-hardened force, combined with a strategic push for modernization, provides it with a formidable deterrent. The key challenge lies in the speed of implementation. The slow pace of defense procurement, combined with budgetary constraints, means that the army will continue to operate a mixed fleet of modern and outdated systems for the foreseeable future. While the courage of its soldiers is unquestionable, their ability to match the speed and lethality of a modern adversary will depend on the pace at which the army can overcome its systemic and technological challenges.