India's infantry is becoming a technology-focused force as the military pursues self-reliance and modernization through 2047, Lt. Gen. Ajay Kumar said on Wednesday. The director general explained that combat units are shifting toward precision weapons, drones and artificial intelligence systems instead of conventional tactics. Every battalion received dedicated drone teams for surveillance and strikes as part of the transformation plan.
The military created Bhairav Battalions for rapid deployment missions that combine infantry capabilities with special operations techniques. Soldiers carry domestically produced 7.62 mm rifles and encrypted radios that connect to next-generation digital networks. Kumar emphasized that partnerships with defense research organizations and private manufacturers ensure troops use Indian-made equipment rather than foreign systems.
The infantry branch marks Shaurya Diwas on Oct. 27 to honor the 1947 airlift of troops into Srinagar that secured Jammu and Kashmir. Kumar cited Operation Sindoor as proof that modern warfare requires coordination between services and advanced reconnaissance assets. The decade-long initiative focuses on six areas: firepower, movement, communications, battlefield awareness, protection and personnel development.
