Abstract
The Indian government’s efforts in military modernization are shaped by a complex geopolitical environment, influenced by doctrinal shifts such as the Sunderji Doctrine, the Cold Start Doctrine, the Joint Armed Forces Doctrine, and the Land Warfare Doctrine, which collectively reflect India’s commitment to offensive realism. These shifts contribute significantly to regional security dynamics, particularly in light of India’s strategy of preparing for a potential two-front war. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India’s offensive military strategy has been reinforced by policies such as the Defense Procurement Procedure and the Make in India initiative, aimed at structural transformation within the defense sector. However, these initiatives have had limited impact on improving the operational preparedness of the military. This paper critically examines the challenges facing India’s defense sector, including dissatisfaction within the armed forces over inadequate defense budgets, political sensitivities, the implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on defense partnerships, concerns over obsolete weaponry, and the readiness of the armed forces. These challenges raise crucial questions about whether the Indian armed forces can effectively perform in a high-stakes conflict, even if the military modernization
goals are fully realized.