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The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Dhiraj Seth, recently unveiled the "VIJAY" Roadmap for the modernization of the Indian Army. Aligned with the Ministry of Defence's "Decade of Transformation" (2023–2032), the roadmap seeks to build a digitised, technology-driven, self-reliant, and multi-domain capable force to meet future security challenges.

About the VIJAY Roadmap

The VIJAY Roadmap is a comprehensive strategic blueprint for transforming the Indian Army from a conventional force into a modern, network-centric military capable of operating across land, cyber, space, electronic and hybrid warfare domains. It emphasizes rapid capability development, integration of advanced technologies, and greater synergy among the armed forces.

The roadmap draws inspiration from the Prime Minister's vision that "JAI leads to VIJAY", with "Jai Hind" and "Jai Bharat" serving as its guiding ethos. It also builds upon the broader objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Five Pillars of the VIJAY Roadmap

The roadmap is structured around five interconnected pillars:

• V – Vigilance: Focuses on maintaining high operational readiness and continuous surveillance along India's borders through advanced sensors, night-vision systems and rapid response capabilities.
• I – Innovation and Transformation: Promotes the adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, satellites, digital networks and electronic warfare systems, alongside modern military doctrines to enhance combat effectiveness.
• J – Jointness and Integration: Strengthens coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force, while promoting integrated theatre commands and a Whole-of-Nation approach involving civil and military institutions.
• A – Atmanirbharta: Reinforces self-reliance in defence by prioritising indigenous research, development and procurement under the principle of "Winning Our Wars with Indigenous Solutions."
• Y – Yodha First: Places soldiers at the centre of reforms through improved training, technological skilling, welfare measures, healthcare, career development, and enhanced support for Agniveers, veterans and Veer Naris.

Key Features

The roadmap envisages the integration of drones, satellites, battlefield sensors, communication networks and AI-enabled systems into a common operational framework, enabling faster decision-making and enhanced situational awareness.

It also aims to accelerate force restructuring, replace obsolete military equipment with next-generation indigenous technologies, strengthen multi-domain operational capabilities, and deepen collaboration with India's growing defence industrial ecosystem.

About the Decade of Transformation (2023–2032)

The Decade of Transformation (2023–2032) is the Ministry of Defence's long-term vision to modernise India's armed forces through technological advancement, organisational reforms, jointness among the services, indigenous defence manufacturing, and capability enhancement to address emerging security challenges.