Why in the news?

  • The Ministry of Defence has released the Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR-2025).

Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR-2025)

  • What is it?: A strategic document that lays out the future technology and capability requirements of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for the next 15 years.
  • Objectives:
    • To provide early visibility of future requirements to domestic manufacturers.
    • Promote indigenisation and self-reliance in defence technologies.
    • Ensure the Indian military is equipped to face emerging multi-domain warfare challenges, including cyber, space, and AI-enabled conflicts.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Nuclear & CBRN Preparedness
      • Upgrades to survivability, nuclear command-and-control, and infrastructure.
      • Development of CBRN reconnaissance vehicles and unmanned systems for detection and decontamination.
    • Drones & Unmanned Systems
      • Development of high-performance stealth drones with ~1,500 km range, operational at altitudes of ~60,000 ft.
      • Loitering munitions featuring AI targeting and reusable warheads.
      • Anti-drone systems including adaptive jamming and electronic denial zones with ~15 km radius to combat hostile drone swarms.
    • Electronic & Cyber Warfare
      • Advances in electronic warfare (EW) capabilities: jammers, EW payloads, info-dominance systems.
      • Strengthening defenses in cyber and space domains.
    • Service-Specific Modernization
      • Army: Acquisition of new and light tanks, unmanned aerial vehicles for precision-guided munitions, and exploring electromagnetic weapon systems.
      • Navy: Plans for new destroyers, corvettes, mine vessels, nuclear-powered warships, and a third aircraft carrier.
      • Air Force: Technologies like stratospheric airships, long-range cruise missiles, and hardened precision-guided munitions.
    • Industry Engagement and Update Mechanisms
      • Ongoing consultation between defence services and industry stakeholders, including MSMEs and startups.
      • Provision for periodic updates to the TPCR to adapt to evolving threats and technological advances
  • Strategic Significance:
    • Bridges capability gaps for future warfare.
    • Provides direction to defence industry, MSMEs, startups for R&D and manufacturing.
    • Supports self-reliance in defence production.
    • Ensures future combat readiness in contested multi-domain environments.
    • Includes mechanisms for periodic updates based on evolving technology and threats.