December 31st 2024.
The year 2024 was filled with numerous global conflicts and political divisions, but India remained focused on strengthening its military capabilities. With a whopping Rs 4.22 lakh crore allocated for defence procurement, India made significant strides in this area. One of the biggest achievements was the successful disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops from the border face-off points in eastern Ladakh, marking a major thaw in their tense relationship. This came after four years of strained bilateral ties following a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley.
While the Indian military maintained a strong presence on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to closely monitor Chinese activities, it also expanded its strategic dominance in the maritime domain. In response to Houthi militants targeting cargo vessels in the Red Sea, the Indian Navy deployed over 30 ships and safely escorted more than 230 merchant vessels carrying valuable cargo. This action not only saved over 400 lives but also showcased India's growing influence in the Indian Ocean, countering China's efforts to increase its presence in the region.
With a focus on enhancing combat capabilities, the Indian government approved 40 capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 4,22,129 crore in 2024. Out of these, Rs 3,97,584 crore were allocated for indigenous procurement, highlighting the government's efforts to promote domestic defence manufacturing. However, the planned integration between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, known as theaterisation, did not progress as expected.
In a major boost to its military strength, India commissioned the INS Arighaat, its indigenously-built Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarine, in August. The government also approved the construction of two more nuclear attack submarines. Additionally, India signed a mega-deal with the US to acquire 31 Predator drones, worth nearly $4 billion, to enhance its surveillance capabilities along the contested border with China. These drones can remain airborne for over 35 hours and carry missiles and bombs.
The Indian Navy also saw the commissioning of the INS Tushil, a Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate, and the successful test-firing of the K-4 nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 3,500 km. India also tested a long-range hypersonic missile, making it one of the few countries with this capability. In line with the changing nature of warfare, the Indian military also focused on incorporating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
In 2023-24, India's defence production and exports reached record-highs, with a growth of 16.7% and 32.5% respectively. The government allocated Rs 6.22 lakh crore for defence in 2024-25, with a significant portion dedicated to capital expenditure for purchasing new weapons, aircraft, and other military hardware. The Indian armed forces also participated in several wargames, including the notable Malabar exercise, which was hosted by India and involved the navies of the US, Australia, and Japan.
However, amidst these achievements, the Indian Navy faced two major accidents, one involving the INS Brahmaputra and the other a collision between a passenger ferry and a navy speedboat that claimed 13 lives. In terms of leadership, the three services saw new chiefs taking charge, with Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi becoming the 26th Navy Chief, Gen Upendra Dwivedi the 30th Chief of the Army Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh succeeding Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari as the Chief of the Indian Air Force.
Overall, 2024 was a year of significant progress and challenges for the Indian military, with a strong focus on boosting combat capabilities, promoting indigenous defence manufacturing, and leveraging advanced technologies.
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