Defence Modernization is a broad concept and continuous act involving the systematic updating of a country's weapons, surveillance systems, and technology to meet evolving security challenges. It aims to enhance combat capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and foster integration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The formal process for this modernization began with the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), first initiated in 2002 to streamline the acquisition of military hardware. The current phase of ambitious military modernization was significantly reinvigorated under the government since 2014, driven by the need to develop a robust defence industrial ecosystem and address complex national security threats.
The primary mechanism governing this process is the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), with the current version being DAP 2020, which replaced the DPP of 2016. The DAP 2020 was established to ease procurement for the Tri-Services and is a catalyst for the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan in defence manufacturing. Key provisions include reserving procurement categories for Indian vendors and significantly enhancing the minimum requirement for Indigenous Content (IC) in various acquisition categories. For instance, the Buy (India - IIDM) category requires a minimum of 50% IC. The DAP 2020 also introduced Leasing as a new category of acquisition to mitigate equipment obsolescence and allow for faster capability acquisition.
Defence Modernization is intrinsically connected to the government's 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives, which focus on boosting domestic defence production and reducing reliance on foreign imports. It also connects to the ongoing structural reforms like the establishment of Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs) to achieve greater operational jointness. The focus has recently shifted to adopting emerging technologies such as AI, cyber, and space warfare to address the challenges of hybrid warfare. The Ministry of Defence has recently released a draft for DAP 2026, indicating a continuous effort to refine the acquisition framework and further strengthen the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.