Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will release the Indian Army’s new land warfare doctrine on Friday, October 23, the final day of the Army Commanders’ Conference. The document is expected to address changes in modern warfare, including the use of drones, artificial intelligence (AI), precision strikes and operations across multiple domains. The three-day conference is the first under Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth. It brings together commanders-in-chief of the Army’s six operational commands and one training command, along with principal staff officers at Army Headquarters, a TOI report stated.
The new doctrine will provide an overarching framework for the Army as military operations increasingly depend on surveillance, networked systems and precision weapons. It is also expected to reflect lessons from India's military experience along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Operation Sindoor and conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
What is India's land warfare doctrine?
The Army’s last land warfare doctrine was released in December 2018, following the armed forces’ joint doctrine issued in April 2017. Earlier editions were published in 1998 and 2004. The 2018 document covered the geostrategic environment, different levels of conflict, hybrid warfare, multi-front operations, surveillance, precision strikes, information warfare, space warfare and special forces. It also provided a foundation for developing strategies for India's northern and western fronts.
The new version is expected to address how the Army can integrate conventional military operations with emerging areas such as cyber, space and electronic warfare. It is also likely to focus on unmanned platforms and the role of AI in surveillance, target identification and military decision-making.
Operation Sindoor and global conflicts shape the Army's priorities
Several developments have changed India's military planning since the previous doctrine was released in 2018. The Army has faced a prolonged stand-off with China along the LAC, while conflicts in other parts of the world have demonstrated the growing role of drones, missiles and electronic warfare.
Operation Sindoor in May 2025 highlighted the use of long-range precision strikes against targets across the border. On May 7, India announced strikes on nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Army engaged seven of these targets using artillery and precision-guided munitions, including loitering munitions.
The wars in Ukraine and West Asia have also demonstrated how drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, electronic warfare systems and integrated air defence can influence battlefield operations. Meanwhile, counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east continue to remain part of the Army's responsibilities. These developments have increased the importance of combining conventional firepower with surveillance, intelligence and faster decision-making.
China and Pakistan remain key considerations
The Army's operational requirements differ across India's northern and western fronts. Along the northern front, the stand-off with China has highlighted the need for rapid mobilisation, high-altitude logistics and continuous surveillance. These capabilities are important for moving troops and equipment and monitoring activity across difficult terrain.
On the western front, the Army must prepare for conventional military formations as well as drones, missiles and cross-border attacks. The new doctrine is expected to provide a framework for addressing these challenges while adapting to changes in the nature of combat.
Lessons from Ukraine and West Asia
The conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia have shown how unmanned systems are changing military operations. Drones and loitering munitions can support reconnaissance, identify targets and carry out attacks.
Electronic warfare systems can disrupt communications, navigation and command networks. This can affect how troops receive orders, share information and coordinate operations.
Continuous aerial surveillance also makes it more difficult for troops and military vehicles to move without detection. Camouflage, deception, dispersal and mobility have therefore become important considerations for battlefield planning.
Missile attacks pose another challenge. Ballistic and cruise missiles can target headquarters, airfields, ammunition depots and supply points located far behind the front line. The Army must consider how to protect these facilities and maintain communications when networks are disrupted or damaged.
AI and digital command systems can help military personnel process and share information faster. However, these systems depend on reliable data, secure networks and trained personnel.
Multi-domain operations and joint military planning
The Integrated Defence Services issued the Joint Doctrine for Multi-Domain Operations in August 2025. It provides a framework for coordinating capabilities across land, air, maritime, space, cyber and information domains.
For the Army, this approach could involve combining satellite imagery, drone feeds, electronic intelligence, artillery targeting and air support to identify and engage enemy forces. The effectiveness of such operations will depend on how quickly relevant information reaches commanders and how efficiently the three services coordinate their actions.
Military networks themselves can become targets during a conflict. An adversary may attempt to disrupt communications, navigation and surveillance systems before launching an attack. Maintaining coordination under these conditions will remain an important challenge.
Army's new formations and capabilities
The Army is also reorganising some of its capabilities to improve mobility, response times and the use of technology on the battlefield. These changes may find a place in the new doctrine. Integrated Battle Groups bring combat and support elements under a single commander to enable faster mobilisation.
Bhairav battalions are designed as light, mobile forces for reconnaissance and rapid response. Shaktibaan regiments and Divyastra batteries add capabilities involving drones, loitering munitions and precision strikes.
Ashni platoons provide infantry battalions with their own drone capabilities.
Together, these formations and systems reflect the Army's effort to adapt its structure and operations to changing battlefield requirements. The new land warfare doctrine is expected to provide a broader framework for integrating these capabilities with conventional forces and emerging military technologies.