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The Army Chief made a concerted announcement for the range of military equipment, especially focusing on its artillery modernisation plan and capability like the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery systems. Crucially, the Army also finally moves ahead with its impending FRCV programme.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi held an annual press conference on the eve of the 2025 Army Day at New Delhi's Manekshaw Center on Army Day 2025.
The Army Chief made a concerted announcement for the range of military equipment, especially focusing its artillery modernisation plan and capability on indigenous platforms like the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery systems and Pinaka rocket system.
General Dwivedi also laid out his plans for the army's combat capabilities by restructuring and employing advanced weaponry. He mentioned several high-value acquisition projects. To begin with, a contract for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), valued at ₹8,000 crore, is expected to be finalised before the end of the current financial year. The ATAGS is the best-in-class 155mm howitzer developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with private industries.
A contract for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), valued at ₹8,000 crore, is expected to be finalised before the end of the current financial year
Further to boost infantry firepower, the army plans to procure range-enhancing ammunition worth ₹10,500 crore for the indigenous Pinaka rocket system, including ₹6,000 crore for high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunition and ₹4,500 crore for area-denial munitions.
Here, COAS also outlined the efforts to increase the Pinaka's range up to 90 Km shortly.
"If the extended-range ammunition meets our requirements, we may not need other long-range systems. Pinaka could become our primary focus," General Dwivedi said.
On the Zorawar Light Tank and modernisation, the Army Chief confirmed that the army is set to acquire 354 Zorawar light tanks. The light tank project which is valued at ₹17,000 crore is now geared towards the final trials after the modification based on the feedback from the army.
"As of now, we are looking at 295 as part of Make 1 and 59 as part of the DRDO initiative... It has already carried out high-altitude trials and I spoke to the DG of DRDO who is dealing with the subject. As of today, when we speak, it is making a journey back to Chennai", the Chief elaborated.
The Army plans to procure range-enhancing ammunition worth ₹10,500 crore for the indigenous Pinaka rocket system, including ₹6,000 crore for high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunition and ₹4,500 crore for area-denial munitions
Indian Light Tank (ILT) 'Zorawar' has achieved all major parameters by firing several rounds at different ranges at an altitude of more than 4,200m (High Altitude Location). Subsequently, the Phase I trial in a desert environment in September 2024 was also conducted successfully. This light tank has been defined, designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, the Chennai-based laboratory of DRDO for the Indian Army and it is manufactured by the industry partner Larsen & Toubro Precision Engineering & Systems.
The COAS also confirmed the reorder of the additional 100 units of K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery systems by the end of 2025.
The Army also got its flagship programme off the ground as the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) finally made its critical decision on Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCV). The DAC, in September 2024, accorded AoN for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to ₹1,44,716 crore, including the procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles and Air Defence Fire Control Radars.
The Army is set to acquire 354 Zorawar light tanks valued at ₹17,000 crore, with Phase I trials in high-altitude and desert environments successfully completed
Additionally, in July 2024, DAC also approved capital acquisition proposals for the procurement of an Advanced Land Navigation System for Armoured Fighting Vehicles of the Indian Army.
Significantly, a contract was also signed for the procurement of 693 Armament Upgrades of Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 to BMP2M. This upgrade includes Night Enablement, Gunner Main Sight, Commander Panoramic Sight and Fire Control System (FCS) with an Automatic Target Tracker under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category under the DAP 2020.
Boosting Army Aviation, in 2024 for the acquisition of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III along with Operational Role Equipment for the Indian Army (25 ALHs) has also been approved.
Chief also highlighted the need for unmanned aerial vehicles and combat systems, keeping with the global trends towards acquiring such next-generation systems.
Chief of Army Staff General Dwivedi told the media that the situation on the Northern border with the People's Republic of China (PRC) is stable but sensitive despite an existing "degree of standoff."
"There are no plans to reduce India's troop deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh until summer, citing the ongoing troop presence on the Chinese side, he said.
There are no plans to reduce India's troop deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh until summer, citing ongoing troop presence on the Chinese side
The Army Chief said since April 2020, both sides have recalibrated and carried out the military construction, added troops, stocked up (arms and weapons) and increased troop numbers. "So, in these terms, there is a degree of standoff," he said. Both sides doctored the terrain.
"Once you change this situation after April 2020, the trust between the two countries has to have a new definition. Therefore, there is a requirement for us to sit together and come to a common understanding of how we want to calm down the situation and restore trust," he retorted.
As far as the verification patrolling, "two rounds of patrolling have been completed over a period of time and both sides are quite satisfied" Chief said.
"The patrolling of traditional areas in these two sub-sectors has commenced. Similarly, traditional grazing has also commenced in these two areas. I have authorised all my company commanders to handle these issues at the ground level concerning patrolling and grazing so that these trivial issues can be resolved at the military level itself," General Dwivedi said.
The proposal for Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) for mountainous terrains in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim is in its final stages and could be a transformative step in restructuring if approved by 2025
Crucially, General Dwivedi also clarified his stance on the "buffer zones" often referred to after the Galwan Valley clash. "There is no such thing as a buffer zone. A temporary moratorium was agreed upon during negotiations to prevent troops from entering disputed areas and risking violence," he said.
The rest depends on the next round of talks between the Special Representatives (SR) and the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). "Now we looking forward to SR meetings and also the WMCC and based on the guidance given from that we will move forward. India has adequate strategic patience," he said on the further process of de-escalation.
General Dwivedi also outlined the strategic restructuring, raising information operation groups, combat units, and manned-unmanned teams to enhance operational efficiency.
The proposal to establish Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) for mountainous terrains in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim remains under consideration. The planned restructuring under the IBG is about building a cohesive lethal force comprising the frontier forces from infantry, artillery, tanks, army aircraft, combat helicopters and logistics units with air-defence systems at various layers.
"It (IBG) has financial implications, as well as implications in terms of equipment and human resources. It has taken a long time, but it is in the final stages. We are hopeful as the presentations have already been made to the ministry of defence even as I speak to you," he ponied out.
"The IBG is the first Special Purpose Vehicle in our restructuring efforts. If approved, it will pave the way for similar initiatives. However, if not finalised by 2025, the project may be scrapped," the Army Chief said.
Manish Kumar Jha is a Consulting & Contributing Editor for SP's Aviation, SP's Land Forces and SP's Naval Forces and a security expert. He writes on national security, military technology, strategic affairs & policies.