New Delhi: The Indian Army on Tuesday underlined the 10 major milestones achieved by the country’s defence forces in the year 2025 highlighting its Operational Employment and Deterrence during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, bringing in action the long range missiles including BrahMos, focussing on procurement and capacity building years of technology absorption, and emphasising on innovation and indigenisation among others.
Milestone 1: Operational Employment and Deterrence During Operation Sindoor
Speaking of the first milestone achieved in 2025, the Indian Army said that nine terrorist camps across the border were destroyed. The Indian Army neutralised seven camps. Balance two camps destroyed by the Indian Air Force, ANI reported.
“Pakistan attempted to target military and civilian assets using drones. Indian Army Air Defence units successfully neutralised all threats, preventing damage and casualties. More than a dozen terror launch pads along the LoC were destroyed using Indian Army ground-based weapons,” the Indian Army said.
Milestone 2: Long-Range Firepower and Precision Strike
BrahMos: 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, the Indian Army said.
Pinaka (Rockets), June 24, 2025: Operationalisation of two additional Pinaka regiments was reported, strengthening stand-off firepower with a focus on rapid concentration of fires.
On December 29, the Indian Army successfully tested Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) (reported range approx 120 km), marking a notable step towards higher-precision deep fires.
The Army said indigenous rocket evolution accelerated in 2025, including reported work towards approx 300 km-class Pinaka variants for future deep-strike options.
Milestone 3: Aviation and High-Value Inductions
Apache AH-64E (Army Aviation Corps), July 22, 2025: The Indian Army received the first three AH-64E Apaches, with the remaining three delivered in December 2025, progressing the long-pending Army Aviation induction plan.
Milestone 4: New Organisations and Battlefield Structures
Bhairav Battalions and Ashni Platoons (2025 roll-out and fielding), Oct 24, 2025: The Indian Army informed that 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 October 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: Army also informed that new structures to meet future challenges equipped with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, including Loiter Munitions were brought into force.
Milestone 5: Procurements and Capability Building Years of Tech Absorption (2024 & 2025)
In 2025, the Indian Army observed the last two years as Years of Tech Absorption. The aim was to move from technology adoption to integration, embedding new technologies.
Major acquisition signals in 2025: Indian Army informed that 6 Apache Helicopters have been inducted this year, enhancing the capability of the Indian Army.
Of all the ammunition in use by the Indian Army, 91% are now indigenised. A variety of UAS have been inducted into the Indian Army over the last 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.
In another milestone on August 5, 2025, the Army was accorded Acceptance of Necessity 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.
On December 29, 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council Visibly tilted towards unmanned systems, counter-UAS and precision fires, reflecting lessons from modern conflicts and recent operational experience.
Milestone 6: Tech Enablement, Digital Transformation
Operational digitisation and enablers: The year gave momentum to the technology absorption in the Indian Army. The aim was to induct niche technology, make structural changes to absorb the new technology and be ready to fight future wars, it said.
Edge data centres were set up with the intent to enable faster data-to-decision cycles closer to the tactical edge. A large number of in-house software were developed. Some examples are the Equipment Helpline and the Sainik Yatri Mitra App, reflecting a focus on responsive support systems and streamlined soldier-facing services.
Milestone 7: Doctrine, Readiness and Senior-Level Reviews: Army
During Army’s Core Commanders’ Conference in Jaisalmer on October 2025, it informed that 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.
Milestone 8: Military Diplomacy and Joint Exercises
In another noteworthy event, Army said that key bilateral exercises conducted/hosted in 2025 to deepen interoperability, counter-terror/urban operation readiness, and regional partnerships including:
- 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).
Milestone 9: Defence Dialogues and Strategic Thought Leadership
The Indian Army said that the Chanakya Defence Dialogue (CDD) 2025 positioned flagship strategic seminar series, with key milestones including:
- Young Leaders Forum (Oct 31, 2025)
- Curtain Raiser (Nov 17, 2025): Podcast by General Upendra Dwivedi on major military issues.
- Main Dialogue (Nov 2025), anchored to the theme of reform-to-transform for a secure and developed India.
Milestone 10: Innovation and Indigenisation:
Inno-Yoddha (2025-26 edition conducted in Nov-Dec 2025): The Army informed that a record 89 innovations submitted and out of these, 32 were selected for further development and fielding pathways, reinforcing bottom-up innovation and Atmanirbhar capability creation.
