The rise of indigenous military technology developed by Indian Army personnel themselves marks a significant shift in India's approach to defence innovation

The Indian Army has embarked on a transformative journey toward technological self-reliance, with numerous ground breaking indigenous systems entering service between 2023 and 2025. This military modernisation effort, spearheaded largely by innovations developed within the ranks, represents a significant departure from traditional dependence on foreign technologies.

The Army's focus on fostering internal innovation has yielded remarkable results across multiple domains—from unmanned ground vehicles and aerial systems to electronic warfare and support infrastructure—all designed to meet India's unique operational challenges while enhancing combat effectiveness, reducing casualties, and ensuring strategic autonomy in an increasingly complex security environment.

The Strategic Imperative For Indigenous Innovation

India's push toward military self-reliance stems from both strategic necessity and the recognition that home-grown solutions often better address specific operational requirements. The emphasis on indigenous development aligns with the broader "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which seeks to reduce foreign dependencies in critical sectors, particularly defence. This approach has gained momentum as serving personnel with first-hand battlefield experience contribute their expertise to developing practical solutions tailored to India's unique security challenges.

The Army Design Bureau (ADB) has emerged as a crucial innovation hub, facilitating collaboration between military personnel, defence research organisations, and private industry partners. This ecosystem has produced numerous field-ready technologies that address specific operational gaps identified by frontline soldiers. The involvement of serving officers and soldiers in the development process ensures that these systems are not merely technically sound but also practical for real-world combat scenarios.

Personnel-Led Innovation: The New Paradigm

The most striking aspect of India's recent military technology development has been the central role played by serving personnel. Major Rajprasad of the 7 Engineer Regiment exemplifies this trend, having developed multiple combat-critical systems including the Xploder UGV, Agniastra detonation system, and Vidyut Rakshak power management solution. This direct involvement of end-users in the innovation process has accelerated development cycles and ensured that technologies address genuine operational needs rather than theoretical requirements.

By leveraging the expertise and experience of its personnel, the Indian Army has created a more agile and responsive innovation ecosystem. This approach has yielded technologies specifically designed for India's diverse operating environments—from the high-altitude Himalayan regions to counter-insurgency operations in varied terrains.

Ground Combat Systems: Revolutionising Battlefield Operations: Xploder: The Indigenous Counter-IED Solution

The Xploder Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) represents a breakthrough in the Indian Army's counter-IED capabilities. Developed by Major Rajprasad of the Army Design Bureau, this remotely operated system addresses one of the most persistent threats facing Indian forces: improvised explosive devices.

The Xploder's development was motivated by the significant casualties caused by IEDs in forward areas, demonstrating how first-hand operational experience can drive targeted innovation.

Following rigorous trials across diverse Indian terrains—from the deserts of Rajasthan to the mountains of Jammu & Kashmir and forests of the Northeast—the Xploder has proven its operational effectiveness and versatility. It performs multiple roles including unmanned reconnaissance, explosive payload delivery, remote IED disposal, and even kamikaze missions for clearing terrorist hideouts. Its self-destruct capability enhances its utility in high-risk environments, providing tactical commanders with additional options for complex operations.

The system's mass production by a private industry partner is underway, with hundreds of units slated for induction into infantry, Special Forces, and Corps of Engineers units within months. This rapid transition from concept to deployment highlights the efficiency of the Army's new innovation model.

Agniastra: Precision Remote Detonation

The Agniastra multi-target portable remote detonation system, also developed by Major Rajprasad, significantly enhances the Army's demolition capabilities. This microprocessor-based electronic device can operate in both wired and wireless modes with a range of up to 2.5 kilometres, enabling selective firing of multiple targets either independently or simultaneously. This precision provides tactical advantages for demolishing enemy targets and neutralising IEDs from safer distances.

The system's versatility is particularly noteworthy—it can be deployed manually or through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), making it adaptable for both conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations. When compared to similar international systems like Israel's Spike FireFly, the Agniastra offers superior deployment flexibility and operational range, demonstrating how indigenous innovation can yield technologies specifically optimised for Indian requirements.

Wireless Electronic Detonation System (WEDC)

Already in service with the Corps of Engineers, the WEDC represents another successful innovation by Major Rajprasad. This system enhances the safety and efficiency of demolition operations through wireless electronic detonation of explosives. Its operational success and subsequent induction into service validate the Army's approach to in-house technological development.

Aerial Warfare Systems: Expanding Combat Capabilities: First Person View (FPV) Drones: Precision Strike Capability

In March 2025, the Indian Army achieved a significant milestone in tactical drone warfare with the successful development and testing of a First Person View (FPV) drone equipped with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition. This system, developed by the Fleur-De-Lis Brigade in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation's Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), demonstrates India's growing capabilities in low-cost, high-impact aerial strike systems.

The initiative, launched in August 2024, underwent extensive research, development, and trials to create a highly effective combat drone. A key innovation is the dual-safety mechanism incorporated into the payload system, which prevents accidental detonation during transport, handling, and flight—significantly increasing reliability and minimising risks for operators.

What makes this development particularly impressive is that the FPV drones are fully assembled in-house at the Rising Star Drone Battle School, which had produced over 100 drones by March 2025. This self-reliant approach ensures complete control over build quality, component integration, and real-time modifications, optimising structural integrity, weight distribution, and flight dynamics for enhanced manoeuvrability and operational effectiveness.

Multipurpose Octo-Copter: High-Altitude Force Multiplier

The Indian Army has also unveiled a multi-purpose octo-copter specifically designed for challenging high-altitude environments. This versatile drone platform serves multiple functions, including essential supply delivery with a payload capacity of 25 kilograms in High Altitude Areas (HAA). This capability ensures that soldiers deployed at forward posts receive critical supplies, maintaining operational readiness in remote locations.

Beyond logistics, the octocopter provides valuable surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities through high-resolution cameras that deliver real-time video feeds to operators. This enhanced situational awareness empowers commanders to make informed decisions and respond swiftly to evolving threats.

What transforms this platform from a support system to a combat asset is its offensive capabilities. The octocopter features platforms for mounting assault rifles and dropping grenades, enabling it to engage in offensive operations and provide close air support to ground troops. This versatility makes it a true force multiplier in high-altitude warfare scenarios, where traditional support systems may face significant operational constraints.

Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): The Future of Integrated Operations

A groundbreaking advancement in the Indian Army's combat capabilities is the successful validation of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) at the tactical level. During Exercise Sarvshakti, conducted in early 2025 under the Eastern Command, the Trishakti Corps demonstrated this revolutionary concept that pairs human-operated platforms with unmanned systems.

MUM-T leverages the strengths of both manned and unmanned systems: the decision-making prowess and situational awareness of human operators combined with the precision, endurance, and expendability of autonomous machines. The goal is to amplify battlefield awareness, extend operational reach, and reduce risk to personnel while delivering a decisive edge over adversaries.

The validation process involved multiple scenarios, including reconnaissance and targeting where UAVs scouted enemy positions and relayed live feeds to manned units, enabling precise targeting without exposing troops. The exercise also demonstrated coordinated strikes, with manned platforms directing unmanned systems to engage targets, blending human oversight with machine precision. This successful demonstration indicates India's readiness to adapt to the evolving nature of warfare by integrating next-generation technology with frontline tactics.

Support Systems: Enhancing Operational Sustainability: Vidyut Rakshak: IoT-Powered Military Infrastructure

The Indian Army's modernisation efforts extend beyond combat systems to critical support infrastructure. In June 2024, the Vice Chief of the Indian Army, Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, officially launched the Vidyut Rakshak, an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled integrated generator monitoring, protection, and control system. This innovation by Major Rajprasad was showcased during "Exercise Bharat Shakti" and marked a significant step forward in the Indian Army's "Year of Tech Absorption" initiative.

The Vidyut Rakshak enhances the performance of engines used by the Indian Army by incorporating cutting-edge IoT technology. A remarkable feature of this system is its universal compatibility—it works with all army generators regardless of type, make, model, or age. The system provides real-time monitoring of generator parameters, predictive fault detection, and automation of manual control operations, significantly reducing manpower requirements.

This technology's strategic significance extends beyond operational efficiency. By enabling predictive maintenance approaches, Vidyut Rakshak can extend the service life of critical equipment, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. As noted by Army Chief General Manoj Pande, this system exemplifies how technology can transform military logistics and support functions.

Artillery Modernisation: Enhanced Firepower

The Indian Army has significantly enhanced its artillery capabilities through indigenous systems like Pinaka rockets, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) howitzers, and K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery systems. These developments align with the "Make in India" initiative and contribute to India's defence self-reliance and modernisation efforts.

The indigenous artillery systems provide the Army with enhanced firepower, mobility, and precision, crucial factors in modern conventional warfare. By developing these capabilities domestically, India reduces its dependence on foreign suppliers for critical defence systems while ensuring that the specific requirements of Indian armed forces are met.

Strategic Impact And Future Trajectory

The development and deployment of indigenous military technologies by the Indian Army mark a paradigm shift in India's approach to defence innovation. This transformation is occurring at multiple levels—technological, operational, and strategic—with far-reaching implications for India's security posture and defence industrial base.

Operational Advantages And Tactical Flexibility

The new indigenous systems provide commanders with enhanced capabilities across the spectrum of military operations. In counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency scenarios, technologies like the Xploder UGV and Agniastra detonation system enable safer and more effective neutralisation of threats. For conventional warfare, the artillery modernisation program and drone systems significantly enhance firepower and intelligence capabilities.

A key advantage of these indigenous systems is their customisation for India's unique operational environments. Unlike off-the-shelf foreign systems, these technologies have been designed with specific Indian requirements in mind and tested across the diverse terrains where Indian forces operate. This tailored approach ensures optimal performance in actual deployment scenarios.

Strategic Autonomy And Reduced Dependencies

By developing critical technologies indigenously, India reduces its vulnerability to foreign supply restrictions, sanctions, or diplomatic pressure. This enhanced strategic autonomy is particularly important given the uncertain geopolitical environment and various technology denial regimes that have historically affected India's defence acquisitions.

Indigenous development also creates a virtuous cycle of innovation within the domestic defence ecosystem. The successful deployment of these systems demonstrates the capabilities of Indian designers and manufacturers, potentially leading to export opportunities and further investment in research and development.

Future Development Pathways

The Indian Army's success with indigenous technologies points to several promising future development pathways. The experience gained with current systems will inform next-generation capabilities, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and integrated battlefield management.

The model of personnel-led innovation that has proven so successful could be expanded and institutionalised, creating more opportunities for serving officers and soldiers to contribute their ideas and expertise. This approach not only yields practical solutions but also builds a culture of innovation within the military.

Conclusion: Redefining Military Self-Reliance

The Indian Army's indigenous technology development efforts represent a fundamental reorientation of its approach to military modernisation. By harnessing the creativity and practical expertise of its personnel, the Army has developed numerous combat-ready systems that enhance its operational capabilities while reducing foreign dependencies.

The success of initiatives like the Xploder UGV, Agniastra, FPV drones, and Vidyut Rakshak demonstrates that indigenous innovation can yield technologies specifically optimised for India's unique operational requirements. These developments have not only enhanced the Army's combat effectiveness but also contributed to the broader national goal of self-reliance in defence technology.

As geopolitical complexities continue to evolve and warfare becomes increasingly technology-intensive, India's focus on indigenous military innovation positions it to meet emerging security challenges more effectively. The transformation from technology consumer to technology creator represents a strategic inflection point that will shape the Indian Army's capabilities and doctrine for decades to come.

IDN