Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 22: The Indian Infantry is undergoing a sweeping transformation to become a tech-driven, self-reliant, and highly agile force as part of the Army’s “Decade of Transformation” initiative. Speaking informally with the media, Director General Infantry Lt Gen Ajay Kumar said the infantry is being reshaped into a modular, versatile, and multi-domain-ready force aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

“We’re moving towards an Infantry that doesn’t just rely on strength, but on precision, speed, and indigenous technology. Wars are not fought with borrowed weapons,” he asserted.

Marking the upcoming Shaurya Diwas on October 27, commemorating the 1947 landing of 1 SIKH Regiment in Srinagar, Lt Gen Kumar described the day as a symbol of enduring courage and legacy.

From legacy to cutting-edge, the Infantry is now integrating drone platoons into every battalion for surveillance and FPV (first-person view) precision strikes. The Army has also raised specialized Bhairav Battalions — elite, high-mobility units tailored for intense tactical operations, bridging the traditional gap between Infantry and Special Forces.

Operation Sindoor was cited as a key learning curve, showcasing the need for joint operations, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) integration, and smart weapon deployment. The DG stressed that the future battlefield is shifting to non-contact, tech-heavy engagements using AI, drones, and precision strike systems.

The transformation rests on six core pillars: lethality, mobility, communication, battlefield transparency, survivability, and training. Backed by India's defence startups, DRDO, and academic research, the Infantry is adopting 7.62 mm rifles, advanced anti-tank guided missiles, encrypted SDR communications, and AI-enabled battlefield networks.

With an Atmanirbhar ecosystem gaining momentum, the Indian Army is betting big on homegrown capability — preparing the Infantry not just for today’s challenges, but tomorrow’s wars.