15-Year Defence Roadmap: AI, Hypersonics, and Nuclear Propulsion Ahead
On September 15, 2025 — exactly 100 days after the ceasefire that ended Operation Sindoor — the Ministry of Defence released the unclassified version of India’s first-ever 15-Year Integrated Capability Development Plan (ICDP) 2025–2040. Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security and personally endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 184-page document commits $415 billion (₹35 lakh crore) over the next 15 years to transform the Indian Armed Forces into a technology-driven, tri-service integrated force capable of full-spectrum dominance across land, sea, air, space, cyber, and cognitive domains.
The Six Transformational Pillars
- Integrated Theatre Commands & Jointness – Full operationalisation by 2027
- Next-Generation Weapons – Hypersonics, directed energy, autonomous systems
- Artificial Intelligence & Cognitive Warfare – AI-driven decision superiority
- Nuclear Propulsion & Strategic Systems – SSNs, SSBNs, hypersonic glide vehicles
- Space & Cyber Dominance – Offensive counter-space and quantum-secure networks
- Indigenous Defence Industrial Base – 80% self-reliance by 2035
Budget Breakdown (2025–2040)
| Domain | Allocation ($ Bn) | Key Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Hypersonics & Strategic Weapons | 92 | BrahMos-II, ET-LDHCM, Agni-VI, K-6 SLBM |
| AI, Quantum & Cyber | 78 | Project Sanjay 2.0, Quantum Key Distribution backbone |
| Nuclear Propulsion | 65 | 6 SSNs, 4 next-gen SSBNs, nuclear-powered carrier |
| Space & Counter-Space | 48 | GSAT-7C/D, ASAT Mk2, Space Corps |
| Autonomous Systems | 55 | 500+ combat UCAVs, swarm motherships |
| Directed Energy & EBO | 37 | Project Kusha, 1 MW naval laser by 2035 |
| Infrastructure & Training | 40 | National Defence University, 15 new ALGs |
Game-Changing Programmes
- Nuclear Propulsion Revolution: 6 × 190 MW SSNs by 2038; 45,000-tonne nuclear aircraft carrier (Project Vishwakarma) by 2040
- Hypersonic Triad: BrahMos-II (2027), ET-LDHCM (2030), air-launched HSTDV derivative (2032)
- AI-Driven Warfare: Integrated Battle Management System (IBMS) linking all sensors to shooters in <90 seconds by 2030
- Quantum Leap: 2,000-km quantum-secure communication network by 2032; quantum radar prototype 2035
- Space Corps: Independent service by 2030 with offensive counter-space capabilities
Lessons from Operation Sindoor
The roadmap explicitly cites three critical gaps exposed in May 2025:
- Insufficient real-time cognitive warfare defence against deepfakes
- Delayed hypersonic counter-measures
- Limited multi-domain integration during the 96-hour air campaign
Every major project now carries a “Sindoor Clause” — mandatory testing in simulated two-front scenarios.
“By 2047, India will not just be the world’s third-largest economy — it will possess the world’s third-most powerful military, fully integrated, fully indigenous, and fully future-ready.” — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, September 15, 2025
Industrial & Export Ambitions
80% of the $415 billion will flow to Indian companies. Defence exports are targeted to cross $25 billion annually by 2040 (from $2.8 billion in 2025). A new Defence Production & Export Promotion Agency (DPEPA) will be established in 2026 to coordinate the ecosystem.
Global Comparisons
When fully implemented, India’s 2040 force will rival:
- US in carrier and submarine numbers
- China in hypersonic and directed-energy weapons
- Russia in integrated air defence density
The ICDP is not just a shopping list — it is India’s declaration that the 21st century will be shaped by Indian technology, Indian strategy, and Indian power.
Related Reads on DefenceNiti.com
- Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025 – Where the vision was first articulated
- ET-LDHCM Hypersonic Milestone – First fruit of the new roadmap
- SAESI Semiconductor Facility – The silicon foundation for quantum and AI
